Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.48(3) > 1013231

Lee and Lee: Reactive Arthritis in a Patient with Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

Abstract

The authors report a case of reactive arthritis that was caused by sexual contact as below example. A 36-year-old male visited our center due to sudden pain in wrist joint, the 3rd finger, knee joint, and achilles tendon. There were no specific abnormalities for the immunoserologic tests and magnetic resonance imaging; however, we found a positive test result for the polymerase chain reaction test of urine that identified Chlamydia trachomatis. Through considering the patient's medical history and various examinations, we considered the possibility of reactive arthritis, to the exclusion of alternate diagnosis. According to the our diagnosis, the patient was treated with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and we found that the patient was getting better. Therefore the authors think that we have to contemplate the possibility of reactive arthritis and treat appropriately in patients with similar symptoms.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
(A) Radiograph shows no specific bony abnormality. (B, C) Magnetic resonance imaging show subchondral bone marrow edema with synovial thickening of 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal interphalangeal joint.
jkoa-48-236-g001

References

1. Moreland LW, Koopman WJ. Infection as a cause of reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatic fever. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1992; 4:534–542.
2. Carter JD, Hudson AP. Reactive arthritis: clinical aspects and medical management. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2009; 35:21–44.
crossref
3. Keat A, Thomas B, Hughes R, Taylor-Robinson D. Chlamydia trachomatis in reactive arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 1989; 9:197–200.
crossref
4. Villareal C, Whittum-Hudson JA, Hudson AP. Persistent Chlamydiae and chronic arthritis. Arthritis Res. 2002; 4:5–9.
5. Braun J, Laitko S, Treharne J, et al. Chlamydia pneumoniae--a new causative agent of reactive arthritis and undifferentiated oligoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1994; 53:100–105.
crossref
6. Klinkhoff A. Rheumatology: 5. Diagnosis and management of inflammatory polyarthritis. CMAJ. 2000; 162:1833–1838.
7. Kwiatkowska B, Filipowicz-Sosnowska A. Reactive arthritis. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2009; 119:60–65.
crossref
8. Zochling J, Smith EU. Seronegative spondyloarthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010; 24:747–756.
crossref
9. Contini C, Grilli A, Badia L, Guardigni V, Govoni M, Seraceni S. Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in patients with arthritis: significance and diagnostic value. Rheumatol Int. 2011; 31:1307–1313.
crossref
10. Carter JD, Gérard HC, Whittum-Hudson JA, Hudson AP. Combination antibiotics for the treatment of Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis: is a cure in sight? Int J Clin Rheumtol. 2011; 6:333–345.
TOOLS
Similar articles