Evaluation of new anti-infective drugs for the treatment of infectious arthritis in adults. Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Food and Drug Administration.

This guideline describes clinical trials of new anti-infective drugs for the treatment of septic arthritis due to bacteria other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae in adults. Septic arthritis is associated with fever and with physical findings at the affected joint. Diagnosis is established by culture of synovial fluid. Treatment includes the administration of antimicrobial drugs and drainage of the joint by needle aspiration or surgery. Multicenter, randomized comparative clinical trials that are single-, double-, or evaluator-blinded should be performed. However, an open trial of a new antimicrobial agent with historical controls is acceptable. Patients should receive treatment for at least 2-3 weeks. After 5 days of antimicrobial therapy, synovial fluid should be sterile and clinical signs and symptoms should have diminished. Patients should be followed for 2-4 weeks after completion of therapy.