A rare case of reactive arthritis associated with Enterobius vermicularis infection

Immunologic derangement caused by intestinal dysbiosis and stress is the intrinsic basis of reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is defined as arthritis resulting from infections in other body parts, such as the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. The primary clinical manifestations involve acute-onset and self-limiting asymmetric large joint inflammation in the lower limbs. Although bacterial or chlamydia infections have long been recognized as playing a pivotal role in its pathogenesis, recent studies suggest that antibiotic treatment may perpetuate rather than eradicate chlamydia within the host, indicating an involvement of other mechanisms in Reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is currently believed to be associated with infection, genetic marker (HLA-B27), and immunologic derangement. As an autoimmune disease, increasing attention has been given to understanding the role of the immune system in Reactive arthritis. This review focuses on elucidating how the immune system mediates reactive arthritis and explores the roles of intestinal dysbiosis-induced immune disorders and stress-related factors in autoimmune diseases, providing novel insights into understanding reactive arthritis.

HLA-B27 negative reactive arthritis versus HLA-B27 positive reactive arthritis: A retrospective study

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is defined as inflammatory arthritis secondary to an extra-articular infection with a key genetic background, HLA-B27. However, to date, the diagnosis and classification remain incomplete. The study focused on the similarities and differences in clinical manifestation, imaging features, and laboratory inspection between HLA-B27 negative patients and HLA-B27 positive patients in order to provide a reference for future development of diagnostic and classification criteria. Twenty-five ReA (19 HLA-B27 negative patients and 6 HLA-B27 positive patients) were included in this retrospective study. Clinical data, including demographics, clinical symptoms, imaging features, and laboratory inspection, were collected. The chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the analysis. HLA-B27 negative group showed more involvement of upper extremities and small joints, while HLA-B27 positive group performed more axial symptoms. No significant difference was found in imaging features (ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) or laboratory inspection (microbes culture and infection-related indicators) between the 2 groups. ReA patients with different genetic backgrounds show various manifestations, although they encounter similar infections.