Disseminated gonococcal disease in pediatrics: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Hematogenous spread of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a sexually transmitted pathogen, results in disseminated gonococcal disease (DGD), also known as arthritis-dermatitis syndrome, due to the development of skin lesions, tenosynovitis, and arthritis. The most frequently affected population is young adults. We describe the case of an adolescent female who acutely developed skin lesions, arthritis, tenosynovitis, and constitutional symptoms. The causal agent was identified by a culture of vaginal secretion and treated with ceftriaxone for 7 days with complete recovery. It is important to differentiate this clinical picture from other types of arthritis developed in adolescence.

Keywords: Adolescence; Adolescencia; Arthritis; Artritis; Disseminated gonococcal disease; Enfermedad gonocócica diseminada; Gonorrea; Gonorrhea; Tenosinovitis; Tenosynovitis.