Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis: what is it and how do we know?
OBJECTIVE
To find out whether poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is a discrete, homogeneous clinical syndrome.


METHODS
Literature review from case reports and case series.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-eight cases were identified. The age distribution was bimodal, with one peak in childhood and one peak in adulthood. Eighty-three percent of streptococcal isolates were group A. The clinical presentation was heterogeneous but appeared different both from that of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and from that of HLA B27-associated reactive arthritis. Carditis was rare.


CONCLUSIONS
The term PSRA encompasses significant heterogeneity. The link between the arthritis and the streptococcal infection is unproven.
Mackie
S L
SL
Department of Rheumatology, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, UK. sarah.mackie@doctors.org.uk
Keat
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D006680:HLA Antigens