Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 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 reactive arthritis in a 7-year-old child]

C Dacheux1, I Pruvost, B Herbaux

  • 1Pôle enfant, clinique de chirurgie et d'orthopédie de l'enfant, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|May 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium difficile reactive arthritis is a rare pediatric condition. Early diagnosis and joint aspiration are key for effective treatment and pain relief.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile reactive arthritis (CDRA) is a rare complication of C. difficile infection.
  • Diagnosis is challenging, often presenting as asymmetric polyarthritis post-antibiotic therapy.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy developed unusual polyarthritis in 12 joints one month after amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment.
  • Hip joint aspiration yielded sterile fluid but provided significant symptom relief.

Findings:

  • Stool cultures confirmed Clostridium difficile infection.
  • Metronidazole treatment resolved joint pain and swelling within a week, with no recurrence at 1-year follow-up.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering CDRA in pediatric patients with polyarthritis post-antibiotics.
  • Joint aspiration aids in differential diagnosis (ruling out septic arthritis) and pain management.
  • Successful treatment with metronidazole suggests targeted antimicrobial therapy is effective.

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