[A case of Reiter syndrome in HIV infection]

The onset of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is often characterized by a variety of symptoms, with the involvement of several tissues and organs. In the present case a polyarthritic syndrome was the symptomatology at the onset. Clinical onset. A 26 year old man, drug abuser, anti HIV positive, with a CD4/CD8 ratio = 0.8, was observed in January 1990. He presented polyarthritic involvement of the ankles and right knee, conjunctivitis and successfully keratodermia. The diagnosis of Reiter syndrome was made on the basis of the clinical features and laboratory findings (Chlamydia in his urethral secretion). The patient did not denote any symptom of immunodeficiency, except small lymphonodal painless swelling in axillary and latero-cervical region. A significant clinical improvement was obtained with chlortetracycline at a dosage of 100 mg daily and 6 methylprednisolone 12 mg daily. Comment. This experience suggests the importance and the usefulness of the anti HIV test in patients affected by a reactive arthritis, as the Reiter's syndrome, since the progressive diffusion of the HIV infection.