31st May 2024

Background

This encompasses osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis and septic arthritis (native and prosthetic joint infection). Risk factors and common organisms causing infection tend to be similar across presentations of such infections, with only subtle differences. Risk factors include underlying joint disease, as well as liver or kidney failure, as well as immune suppression and IV drug use.

Staphylococcus aureus tends to be the most common causative organism, although coagulase negative staphylococcus spp, as well as streptococcus spp also contribute to a significant minority of infections.