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Clostridium difficile: an under-recognized cause of reactive arthritis?
Julius Birnbaum1, John G Bartlett, Allan C Gelber
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Mason F Lord Building, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Clinical Rheumatology
|September 29, 2007
Summary
Clostridium difficile infection can cause reactive arthritis, a condition typically linked to other bacteria. This case highlights C. difficile as a potential trigger for inflammatory joint disease.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory condition often triggered by enteric infections.
- Common causes include Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Yersinia.
- Clostridium difficile is an infrequent cause of reactive arthritis, with limited documented cases.
Observation:
- A patient presented with severe, asymmetric oligoarthritis following a Clostridium difficile infection.
- The arthritis was intense and additive, affecting multiple joints.
Findings:
- This case report details an uncommon presentation of reactive arthritis secondary to C. difficile.
- It suggests C. difficile may be an underrecognized cause of inflammatory oligoarthritis.
Implications:
- Highlights the need to consider C. difficile in the differential diagnosis of reactive arthritis.
- Emphasizes the importance of evaluating antecedent infections in patients with unexplained oligoarthritis.
- Discusses potential therapeutic interventions for C. difficile-associated reactive arthritis.
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