Acute Sacroiliitis: A Rare Complication of Typhoid Fever, a Case Report and Review

Two different types of arthritis have been described in association with Salmonella infections. Reactive arthritis is commonly related to salmonella gastroenteritis, is polyarticular and migratory, and septic arthritis which complicates Salmonella bloodstream infections and is monarticular. Magnetic Nuclear Imaging, radio nuclide bone scan and cultures of joint aspirate may help in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis. Treatment of sacroiliitis include: intravenous antibiotics, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and bed rest. Surgical drainage is indicated when abscess formation is demonstrated. We report on a case of a 13 year-old with septic arthritis of the sacroiliac joint due to Salmonella typhi. The joint symptoms persisted for 5 weeks and were treated by intravenous ceftriaxone and indomethacin. The patient improved after six weeks and made a complete recovery.