Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an autoimmune seronegative spondyloarthropathy that occurs in response to a urogenital or enteric infection. Several studies have reported a link between ReA and HIV infection. We report a case of an HIV-1-infected patient diagnosed with a disabling ReA who failed to respond to conventional therapy but whose symptoms resolved rapidly after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Clinicians may not be cognizant to this phenomenon and so this case report serves to remind clinicians that initiation of antiretroviral therapy should be considered in HIV-infected patients with ReA who are refractory to standard therapy.
AmorBReiter's syndrome. Diagnosis and clinical features. Rheum Dis Clin North Am1998;24:677–95, vii
2.
ReiterH. Spirochateninfektion (Spirochaetosis arthritica). Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift1916;42:1535–6
3.
SanghiSS, SayalSK. Antiretrovirals in Reiter's syndrome with HIV infection: a case report. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol2003;69:87–89
4.
Henrique da MotaLM, CarneiroJN, LimaRA, dos Santos NetoLL, LimaFA. Reactive arthritis in HIV-infected patients: immunopathogenic aspects. Acta Rheumatol Port2008;33:279–87
5.
KousaM, SaikkuP, RichmondS, LassusA. Frequent association of chlamydial infection with Reiter's syndrome. Sex Transm Dis1978;5:57–61
6.
HorowitzS, HorowitzJ, Taylor-RobinsonD, Ureaplasma urealyticum in Reiter's syndrome. J Rheumatol1994;21:877–82
7.
Hill GastonJS, LillicrapMS. Arthritis associated with enteric infection. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol2003;17:219–39
8.
BermanA, EspinozaLR, DiazJD, Rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Am J Med1988;85:59–64
9.
AltmanEM, CentenoLV, MahalM, BieloryL. AIDS-associated Reiter's syndrome. Ann Allergy1994;72:307–16
10.
ChinniahK, ModyGM, BhimmaR, AdhikariM. Arthritis in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Black African children: causal or coincidental?Rheumatology (Oxford)2005;44:915–20
11.
KayeBR. Rheumatologic manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Ann Intern Med1989;111:158–67
12.
MillsOF, SaradarianKA. Reiter's syndrome and HIV infection. J Fam Pract1991;33:294–6
13.
WinchesterR, BernsteinDH, FischerHD, EnlowR, SolomonG. The co-occurrence of Reiter's syndrome and acquired immunodeficiency. Ann Intern Med1987;106:19–26
14.
WithringtonRH, CornesP, HarrisJR, Isolation of human immunodeficiency virus from synovial fluid of a patient with reactive arthritis. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed)1987;294:484
