Kingella kingae Osteoarthritis and Osteomyelitis in Children

Abstract

Kingella kingae is still a poorly understood germ which is responsible for osteoarticular infections. We observed nine cases of osteoarthritis involving K. kingae in children. They included 4 cases of arthritis, 2 of osteomyelitis, and 3 of spondylodiscitis. The germ was cultured in all cases by direct surgical approach or by needle aspiration of the septic locus. Evolution was always good after immobilization and nonspecific antibiotherapy. Our nine clinical cases, along with the few cases already published, allow us to state that K. kingae shows a strong affinity for bones and joints in the young child. Clinical presentation is nonspecific. The bacterial sampling must be cultured in enriched atmospheres (CO2). The strains are sensitive to most common antibiotics.