Veillonella Dispar and Streptococcus Bovis Septic Arthritis in a Native Shoulder Joint

Veillonella spp. comprise anaerobic Gram-negative cocci that are a rare cause of septic arthritis in native joints. We report a case of septic arthritis of a native shoulder joint due to Veillonella dispar and Streptococcus bovis Biotype II in an elderly patient, with growth of both isolates from joint fluid. Streptococcus bovis was also isolated from blood culture. The Veillonella isolate was referred to the anaerobic reference laboratory for speciation and was confirmed to be V. dispar by use of a molecular method. The patient had an arthroscopic joint washout along with 1 month of appropriate antibiotic treatment and made a full recovery.