Septic arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Five patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed septic arthritis. Neisseria gonorrheae, Staphyloccocus aureus, Proteus and Escherichia coli were the offending bacterial organisms. Predisposing factors included systemic and local corticosteroids, aseptic necrosis of bone and synovitis due to SLE. The diagnosis was made by culture of the organisms from the synovial fluid. Three patients recovered without residual joint damage, one required corrective arthroplasty and one died from overwhelming infection.