Rheumatoid factor production in response to gonococcal polyarthritis and tenosynovitis

A case of gonococcal polyarthritis in a 19-year old woman was rheumatoid factor positive on presentation. Titres of rheumatoid factor declined to normal as her arthritis resolved with treatment. A positive rheumatoid factor test in a person with possible gonococcal polyarthritis should therefore be disregarded until an infective aetiology has been ruled out.