BMJ 1994;308:671-672 (12 March)

Editorials

Reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is an aseptic arthritis that develops after an infection elsewhere in the body. The triad of arthritis, urethritis, and conjunctivitis -Reiter's syndrome - is one distinct variety of reactive arthritis.

Many micro-organisms may induce reactive arthritis, and new agents are continuously being added to the list, suggesting a pathogenic mechanism that is not antigen specific. The condition is associated most commonly with urogenital or enteric infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Yersinia enterocolitica, salmonella, shigella, and campylobacter.1,2 Less common or more recently identified agents include Clostridium difficile, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chl pneumoniae, and ureaplasma. A type of reactive arthritis not associated with HLA-B27 may occur after infections with ß haemolytic streptococci and neisseria. In about one quarter of all cases the triggering organism remains unknown.1

Between 60% and 90% of patients with postvenereal or postenteric reactive arthritis are positive for HLA-B27.1,2 The arthritis usually develops within four weeks of . . . [Full text of this article]


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Winceslaus, S J, Lauhio, A (1994). Reactive arthritis. Consider combination treatment.. BMJ 308: 1302-1303 [Full text]  
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