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[Value of microbiologic studies for diagnosis of post-enteritis reactive arthritis]
1Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen.
Abstract:
Reactive arthritis may develop within a period of some days until upto 3 weeks after infections with Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Shigella and Salmonella. Intestinal infections with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Cryptosporidium, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia saginata and Schistosoma mansoni are, in some cases, considered to be responsible for reactive arthritis. Detection of pathogenic bacteria in feces is generally most successful in the early stage of the infection. A large spectrum of special tests is required in order to detect all the causative agents and to ensure reliable results. It is therefore necessary that the laboratory is provided with information about the diagnostic object and the tentative diagnosis. The detection of serum antibodies to Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, C. jejuni/coli, and Schistosoma may suggest connections between infection and reactive arthritis.
Insights
Reactive arthritis can occur weeks after certain bacterial or parasitic infections. Laboratory tests detecting specific pathogens or antibodies are crucial for diagnosis and understanding the infection-arthritis link.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Reactive arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can develop following certain infections.
- The onset of reactive arthritis typically occurs within 3 weeks of an initial infection.
Purpose:
- To outline the spectrum of infectious agents implicated in reactive arthritis.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and laboratory testing strategies for identifying causative agents.
- To highlight the role of serological antibody detection in linking infections to reactive arthritis.
Summary:
- Reactive arthritis is associated with infections from bacteria like Yersinia, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Salmonella, as well as parasites such as Schistosoma.
- Early detection of pathogenic bacteria in fecal samples is key, though a broad range of specialized tests are often required.
- Detecting antibodies against specific pathogens in serum can help establish a connection between a prior infection and the development of reactive arthritis.
Impact:
- Improved diagnostic accuracy for reactive arthritis by guiding appropriate laboratory investigations.
- Enhanced understanding of the etiological agents responsible for reactive arthritis.
- Facilitation of timely and targeted treatment by identifying the underlying infectious cause.