Why can disseminated gonococcal infection cause arthritis?

Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) causes arthritis because the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can enter the circulatory system and spread from the initial site of infection to distant parts of the body.12

Once the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can infiltrate the joint space. This leads to septic arthritis, an acute inflammation characterized by swollen, sore, and pus-filled joints. The presence of the bacteria and the resulting immune response cause the production of pus, which can erode articular cartilages. Because these cartilages have very limited regenerative capacity, this process can lead to permanent joint damage or disability if the infection is not treated promptly with antibiotics. In cases of DGI, the infection typically settles in one or two joints and may also involve the surrounding tendon sheaths.342