Fungal Infections of Joints: the Current State of the Issue

Diseases caused by microscopic fungi (mycoses) have become an important clinical problem in recent decades. The importance of mycoses in rheumatology has increased significantly due to the active introduction of genetically engineered biological drugs into clinical practice, primarily tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors and interleukin-17 inhibitors. In addition, a number of questions arise when establishing timely and correct diagnosis, as well as prescribing rational therapy in patients with mycotic septic arthritis, a disease that is quite difficult to treat. The most common etiological agents of fungal arthritis (FA) include Candida spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Sporothrix schenckii, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum. This review examines the problems of diagnosis and treatment of FA associated with these pathogens.