Criteria for infection of a joint or bursa – one or more of the following:
(1) culture from joint fluid, synovium or bursa is positive for micro-organisms
(2) evidence of infected joint or bursa seen directly at a surgical operation
(3) evidence of an infection involving joint or bursa seen in histopathologic examination of a biopsy taken at surgery or needle biopsy
(4) all of the following:
(4a) 2 or more of the following
(4a1) joint pain
(4a2) swelling
(4a3) tenderness
(4a4) heat
(4a5) effusion
(4a6) limitation of motions
(4b) no other recognized cause
(4c) one or more of the following
(4c1) positive antigen test on blood, urine or joint fluid for common pathogenic bacteria
(4c2) organisms and white blood cells seen on a Gram stain of joint fluid
(4c3) cellular and chemical profile for joint fluid consistent with infection
(4c4) radiographic evidence of infection involving a joint or bursa
where:
• Radiographic evidence of infection may include a positive readiolabel scan (gallium, technetium, other), CT scan, MRI or routine X-rays.
• Antigen tests done on blood are neither sensitive nor specific.
