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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).

Citations

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

Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
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

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 09, 2007
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