Division BJ-JNT: Joint or bursa

Joint or bursa infections must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Patient has organisms cultured from joint fluid or synovial biopsy

• Patient has evidence of joint or bursa infection seen during a surgical operation or histopathologic examination

• Patient has at least two of the following signs or symptoms with no other recognized cause: joint pain, swelling, tenderness, heat, evidence of effusion or limitation of motion

  AND at least one of the following:

  • organisms and white blood cells seen on Gram's stain of joint fluid

  • positive antigen test on blood, urine, or joint fluid

  • cellular profile and chemistries of joint fluid compatible with infection and not explained by an underlying rheumatologic disorder

  • radiographic evidence of infection (for example, abnormal findings on X-ray, CT scan, MRI, radiolabel scan (gallium, technetium, etc.))