Superinfected hemarthrosis revealing moderate hemophilia A: an unusual case from Burkina Faso

Abstract

Hemophilia is a constitutional disease, inherited in an X-linked recessive mode. We report a case of superinfected hemarthrosis revealing moderate hemophilia A in an adolescent. This was a 17-year-old patient hospitalized with a painful swelling of the left knee that had been evolving for 3 weeks. Examination revealed a fever of 39.8ºC, a respiratory rate of 28 cycles/min, and monoarthritis of the left knee. Biological tests revealed a prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to 2.91. Coagulation factor VIII levels were found to be 2.4%. A puncture of the knee yielded 75 cc of sero-haematic fluid. A cytobacteriological examination of the joint fluid revealed staphylococcus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive hydarthrosis. A 15-day course of injectable factor VIII was combined with antibiotic therapy. The evolution was favorable, with a regression of symptoms. The treatment of superinfected hemarthrosis is an emergency, and multiple skills are required to provide appropriate management.

Received: November 10^th, 2023

Accepted: June 28^Th, 2024

https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v17i4.16