The spectrum of group A streptococcal joint pathology in the acute care setting.

Objectives: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a frequent cause of pediatric musculoskeletal infections including septic arthritis, acute rheumatic fever (ARF), and a more benign arthritis called post-streptococcal reactive arthritis. Children with painful joints are frequently evaluated in the acute care setting, and because the presentation of each of these entities is similar, the diagnosis can be difficult to make. Five cases of children with GAS arthridities are presented to demonstrate the spectrum of GAS-associated joint pathologies encountered in the acute care setting and also to discuss how GAS laboratory tests may assist in the evaluation and management of children presenting with a painful joint.