Septic bursitis in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Septic bursitis is a well described entity in immunocompromised patients. Common factors contributing to an immunocompromised state are alcoholism and corticosteroid therapy. We describe 2 patients with Staphylococcus aureus olecranon bursitis with evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and no other contributing factors to immunodeficiency. The clinical course in these patients was refractory to conservative management. Such a persistent course of septic bursitis, especially in the absence of other contributing factors, should raise the possibility of HIV infection.