Clostridium difficile-associated reactive arthritis in two children

Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Jan;71(1):60-2. doi: 10.1016/S1297-319X(03)00056-3.

Abstract

In adults, reactive arthritis (ReA) following Clostridium difficile-enterocolitis has been documented. In children, only one case of C. difficile-associated ReA has been reported. We now describe two other cases of ReA associated with C. difficile in children. The characteristics of ReA due to C. difficile appear to be similar in adults and children. Both children show polyarthritis after an episode of diarrhoea with positive stool cultures for C. difficile. Arthritis is asymmetrical with a self-limiting course. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy is sufficient. One case is remarkable because of its prolonged course of ReA despite NSAID therapy, and its association with the presence of HLA-B27 antigen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Reactive / etiology
  • Arthritis, Reactive / pathology*
  • Child
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Clostridioides difficile / pathogenicity
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / complications
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / drug therapy
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / pathology*
  • Female
  • HLA-B27 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prohibitins
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • HLA-B27 Antigen
  • PHB2 protein, human
  • Prohibitins