[Poncet's disease in HIV infected patients]

Clinical features of Poncet's disease. From the description of 198 cases found in the literature

Poncet's disease (PD) is an entity described as a reactive arthritis due to tuberculous infection elsewhere from the joints. PD existence has been questioned; however, more cases have been reported over the years. Due to its rare nature, little is known about the clinical picture of this disease and no prospective studies had been made to address this issue. We performed a systematic review of the written literature on PD in different databases using the key words "Poncet's disease," "tuberculous rheumatism," and "tuberculous reactive arthritis." Out of 78 articles, 198 patients were included in the analysis, plus our patient. Several characteristic patterns were found. Also, a review of the pathogenesis and some hypotheses are made. PD is a well-defined entity, which should be taken as a reactive arthritis for future studies given the increase in TB incidence and prevalence around the world, especially in high-burden countries.

Rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Rheumatic complaints are common in patients with HIV, and HIV positivity confers an increased susceptibility in populations with similar risk factors for HIV infection. With the advent of the modern combined antiretroviral treatment, HAART has had a profound beneficial effect on survival in HIV-infected patients, with lifelong control of HIV infection and normalization of life expectancy; but it has also contributed to both an altered frequency and a different nature of rheumatic complications now being observed in this population, with new rheumatic complications, such as osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, gout, mycobacterial, mycotic osteoarticular infections, and neoplasia perhaps more prevalent. Rheumatologists, internists, and general physicians need to be aware of these changes to provide optimal diagnosis and how to disclose the results to their patients. They also need to be familiar with the management of HIV infection and to direct careful attention to the prevention of HIV transmission in health care facilities.

Rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Rheumatic complaints are common in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. With the advent of the modern combined antiretroviral treatment, life-long control of HIV infection and normalization of life expectancy in HIV-positive patients have become realistic perspectives, but new rheumatic complications, such as osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, gout, and mycobacterial and mycotic osteoarticular infections may be more prevalent. Rheumatologists, internists, and general physicians need to be familiar with the presentation and treatment of these conditions in HIV-positive patients.