Reactive arthritis in coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae

Abstract

The below case of the development of reactive arthritis against the background of coinfection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae is interesting by the features of the clinical picture, the duration of the course, the complexity of diagnosis, laboratory observation, and a comprehensive approach to therapy. Reactive arthritis belongs to the group of seronegative spondyloarthritis, has a variety of symptoms with damage to various organs and systems. All patients have pathology of peripheral joints and/or axial skeleton. The disease is immuno-inflammatory in nature, may follow an infection of the genitourinary or digestive tract. A special role in the development of urogenic reactive arthritis is assigned to Chlamydia trachomatis. Less often, reactive arthritis is caused by C. pneumoniae. In the case of persistent infection, non-simultaneous development or low expression of symptoms, the diagnosis of reactive arthritis is difficult, and in about one case out of five, the disease becomes chronic. Predisposition to severe course of reactive arthritis may cause the presence of HLA-B27 antigen in the patient. It can be assumed that coinfection of two varieties of chlamydia (C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis) can act synergistically, increasing the risk of developing reactive arthritis. The available data on the effectiveness of the complex of antibacterial anti-chlamydia drugs, own experience of the lymphotropic method of administration, has been successfully used in the complex treatment of the patient.