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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
09:12

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection

Published on: June 15, 2018

Clostridium difficile-associated reactive arthritis in two children

Helga A Löffler1, Benedicte Pron, Richard Mouy

  • 1Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Université Paris V, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75743 Paris, France.

Joint Bone Spine
|February 11, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Reactive arthritis following Clostridium difficile infection is rare in children. This study reports two pediatric cases, suggesting similar characteristics and self-limiting courses to adult cases, with NSAID therapy being effective.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Reactive arthritis (ReA) following Clostridium difficile-enterocolitis is documented in adults.
  • Only one previous case of C. difficile-associated ReA in children has been reported.

Observation:

  • This report details two additional pediatric cases of ReA linked to C. difficile infection.
  • Both children presented with polyarthritis subsequent to diarrheal illness confirmed by positive C. difficile stool cultures.

Findings:

  • The clinical presentation of C. difficile-associated ReA in children mirrors that observed in adults.
  • Arthritis was asymmetrical and followed a self-limiting clinical course.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment proved sufficient for symptom management.

Implications:

  • These cases expand the understanding of C. difficile-associated ReA in pediatric populations.
  • The findings support NSAID therapy as a primary treatment modality for this condition in children.
  • One case highlights a prolonged disease course and association with the HLA-B27 antigen, warranting further investigation.

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