title: Identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as the causative agent in a case of culture-negative dermatitis-arthritis syndrome using real-time PCR.
abstract: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an increasingly common and important cause of a fever in a returning traveler. Systemic complications of STIs, human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion illness, and secondary syphilis are diagnoses that can easily be missed. We present a case of culture-negative disseminated gonococcal infection presenting with fever, malaise, polyarthralgia, arthritis, and a rash that developed following orogenital contact and was diagnosed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. This technology has major potential to improve the speed and sensitivity of diagnosis and consequent management of patients with this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Westminster, London, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Kimmitt
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Nelun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: Karl G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajakumar
authors.forename: Cordelia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D013785:Thailand; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D047568:Unsafe Sex