The mysterious joint: Septic arthritis and acute osteomyelitis due to Fusarium species in a child with type II Chiari malformation

Authors

  • N Brijlal Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6831-681X
  • P Mahabeer Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3966-2629
  • S Govender Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5822-797X
  • K Mochankana Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6574-1380
  • L Kampiire Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0139-5257
  • M Archary Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3082-9234
  • K Swe Swe-Han Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4574-6258

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i11.3194

Keywords:

Fusarium infection, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, spina bifida, fusariosis

Abstract

Fungal bone infection due to Fusarium species is unusual. We report a case of a child who presented with septic arthritis and osteomyelitis due to Fusarium species. The lack of clinical trials and the organism’s intrinsic resistance to most antifungal agents make antimicrobial management difficult. Our patient attained a favourable response to therapy with amphotericin B and voriconazole. This case report highlights a rare manifestation of joint- and bone-related Fusarium infection in a child.

Author Biographies

  • N Brijlal, Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa

    MB ChB cum laude (UKZN), B Pharm summa cum laude (UKZN)

    Registrar - Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

  • P Mahabeer, Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    MB ChB (Natal), FC Path (SA) Micro, MMedSc

    Pathologist (Microbiology) - Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

  • S Govender, Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa

    Nat Dip Med Tech (SA), NHD Med Tech (SA), B Tech (Biotechnology), BScHons (Med Micro)

    Medical Technologist - Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

  • K Mochankana, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    MBBS (UB), FC Paed (SA), MMed (UB) 

    Consultant Paediatrician - Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa

  • L Kampiire, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    MBChB, MPH, MMed (Paeds)

    Medical Officer - Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa

  • M Archary, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    MB ChB (Natal), DCH (SA), FC Paed (SA), Cert ID (SA), PhD

    Paediatrician & Infectious Disease Specialist - Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa

  • K Swe Swe-Han, Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    MBBS, DTMH, PDIC, FC Path (SA) Micro, MMed (Med Micro), PhD (Med Micro) 

    Pathologist (Microbiology) & Head of Department - Department of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

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Published

2025-12-08

Issue

SAMJ Vol. 115 No. 11

Section

In Practice

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Copyright (c) 2025 N Brijlal, P Mahabeer, S Govender, K Mochankana, L Kampiire, M Archary, K Swe Swe-Han

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How to Cite

1.
Brijlal N, Mahabeer P, Govender S, Mochankana K, Kampiire L, Archary M, et al. The mysterious joint: Septic arthritis and acute osteomyelitis due to Fusarium species in a child with type II Chiari malformation. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 8 [cited 2026 Apr. 17];115(11):e3194. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/3194