[Dysenteric rheumatism. What remains in 1976?]

Joint manifestations that occur during or after an episode of dysentery, grouped under the name of dysenteric rheumatism, have been known since antiquity, and have been mainly found in military circles, in camps, or during military campaigns. After reviewing the principal epidemics of rheumatism complicated by joint manifestations, the authors show that the only different feature about what is called dysenteric rheumatism is the particular character of the joint manifestations which may be isolated or associated with other manifestations, notably ocular or urethral, forming then what is called the Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome. The role of the dysentery bacillus in the genesis of the joint lesions is not clear. Although it may been suspected on the basis of epidemiological or bacteriological arguments in some cases, it has never been formally demonstrated and is often non-existent. The term dysenteric rheumatism is too restrictive and should henceforth be abandoned.