Fungal osteomyelitis

Fungal osteomyelitis is an uncommon form of osteomyelitis that often occur concurrently with septic arthritis.

Clinical presentation

They generally tend to present in an indolent fashion.

Pathology

Fungal bone and joint infections result from direct inoculation, contiguous infection spread, or hematogenous seeding of organisms. The most common offending organisms include ¹

• Candida spp. e.g. Candida albicans
• Aspergillus spp.

Other uncommon agents include 

• Histoplasma spp.
• Blastomyces spp.
• Coccidioides spp
• Cryptococcus spp.
• Sporothrix spp.

Location

• C. albicans, vertebral osteomyelitis is considered the most common location in adults, whereas femoral and humeral bones are typically involved in pediatric patients ⁴
• Aspergillus spp., vertebral bodies and ribs are considered most frequently involved ⁴