Kingella kingae is most noted for causing which infection, particularly in children?

• A. Urinary tract infections in bladder catheterized patients
• B. Pneumonia in the elderly
• C. Bone and joint infections in children
• D. It is strictly a nonpathogen

Answer: (C)

Kingella kingae is best known for causing bone and joint infections in children. This fastidious gram-negative coccobacillus often colonizes the oropharynx of young kids and can spread through the bloodstream to seed the joints and bones, leading to septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, especially in children around 6 months to 2 years old. Detecting it can be tricky with standard cultures, so PCR on synovial fluid or throat swabs helps confirm a diagnosis. While other infections like urinary tract infections in catheterized patients or pneumonia in the elderly can occur with various bacteria, Kingella kingae is particularly associated with invasive joint and bone infections in pediatric patients.