[Septic monarthritis caused by Sphingomonas paucimobilis].

Sphingomonas paucimobilis, formerly known as Pseudomonas paucimobilis, is a rare cause of septic arthritis and is therefore regarded as being of minor clinical interest in rheumatological diagnostics. In this connection the yellow pigmented, aerobic, glucose non-fermenting, Gram negative bacillus is usually associated with immunocompromised patients. A case of septic arthritis in a 70-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) initially presenting with right knee pain, swelling and redness is reported. After diagnosis of septic gonarthritis due to Sphingomonas paucimobilis, the infection was successfully treated by oral antibiotic therapy with ofloxacine based on the patient's antibiotic susceptibility profile, combined with analgesic and anti-inflammatory local physical therapy several times a day leading to a considerable improvement in the symptoms so that operative interventions could therefore be avoided.