Final answer:
Joint infections, or infectious arthritis, can be established through trauma, prosthetic joint replacement, or hematogenous spread from other infected body sites via the bloodstream. Diagnosis involves analyzing synovial fluid, and effective treatment is carried out with antimicrobial drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joint infections, or infectious arthritis, can become established in a few different ways. The primary methods are:
- Direct introduction of pathogens into the joint through trauma, such as a wound or surgical site.
- Infection during prosthetic joint replacement surgery, where the artificial components may serve as a conduit for bacteria to enter the joint space.
- Hematogenous spread, where pathogens from other infected sites within the body travel through the bloodstream and subsequently infect the joint.
Once inside the joint, bacteria can adhere to the synovial tissue, invade, and multiply, leading to an infection. Procedures and circumstances such as the insertion of contaminated catheters, dental procedures, piercings, or wounds can introduce bacteria to the bloodstream and pose a risk for joint infections.
Diagnosis and treatment of joint infections involve aspiration of synovial fluid, direct microscopic evaluation, culture, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and, if needed, PCR analysis. Administering the correct antimicrobial drugs, based on testing, is critical for resolving the infection and preventing further complications such as chronic infectious arthritis.