Fungal Arthritis

Fungal Arthritis is one of the rarest types of arthritis (infectious). This type of arthritis, also known as Mycotic Arthritis is caused by one of the six types of fungal conditions: blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, or sporotrichosis. These infections can be caused when fungal spores enter through the respiratory system or through a scraper or cut. These fungi live mostly in moss, soil, dying vegetation, hay, or bird droppings. The infection is not usually diagnosed right away and if not diagnosed quickly enough can lead to joint damage. Larger joints are affected more often. The people most likely to contract Fungal Arthritis are people with weak immune systems, people with AIDS, people undergoing chemotherapy, and drug users. The treatment is usually to use antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, or itraconazole) although advanced bone and joint infections might require infected tissue to be surgically removed.

Works Cited
Moore, Shelley. "Fungal Arthritis Causes & Symptoms | EHow.com." EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. | EHow.com. EHow. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_4811742_fungal-arthritis-causes-symptoms.html>.


"Fungal Arthritis." Healthcare Center. Ed. David C. Dugdale. A.D.A.M. Inc., 12 Jan. 2009. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://adam.about.net/encyclopedia/infectiousdiseases/Fungal-arthritis.htm>.


"Mycotic Arthritis." Arthritis Symptoms. Consumer Health Information Network, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://arthritis-symptom.com/m-r/mycotic-arthritis.htm>.