Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI)

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Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI)

Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) occurs when the gonorrhea infection spreads to sites other than the genitals, such as the joints, skin, heart, or blood. DGI occurs in a very small percentage of all cases of gonorrhea and is more common in women.¹ Symptoms may include:

Fever.
Skin infection (cellulitis).
An infection in the bloodstream (sepsis).
Inflammation of a joint (arthritis). It most often affects the knees and hands.
An infection and inflammation of the heart valves and the chambers of the heart (endocarditis).
An infection of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

References

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Citations
Marrazzo JM (2003). Infections due to neisseria. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., Scientific American Medicine, section 7, chap. 3. New York: WebMD.

Credits

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Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	May 9, 2007

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Last updated:	May 09, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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