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. 2012 Feb 14:6:60.
doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-6-60.

Disease flare of ankylosing spondylitis presenting as reactive arthritis with seropositivity: a case report

Em Manoj  1 , Mk Ragunathan
Affiliations

Disease flare of ankylosing spondylitis presenting as reactive arthritis with seropositivity: a case report

Em Manoj et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Concurrent rheumatoid factor seropositivity is occasionally detected in ankylosing spondylitis and often causes confusion in clinical routine. Overlap between various seronegative arthritides is a known but uncommon association. Differentiation of spondyloarthropathy from rheumatoid arthritis is important, since the natural history, complications, treatments and prognosis of the two diseases differ significantly.

Case presentation: Here, we report the case of a 47-year-old Sri Lankan man who had a long history of intermittent joint pains worsening following a recent episode of self-resolving non-bloody diarrhea. Subsequently, he developed a skin rash suggestive of keratoderma blenorrhagica and circinate balanitis. He had classical radiological evidence of ankylosing spondylosis (previously undiagnosed) associated with human leukocyte antigen B27 antigen, but was positive for rheumatoid factor.

Conclusions: A disease flare of ankylosing spondylitis prompted by a minor diarrheal illness showing well documented features of reactive arthritis is remarkable. The prognostic implications of seropositivity in spondyloarthritis are discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Palmoplantar pustulosis, suggestive of keratoderma blenorrhagica.
Figure 2
Figure 2
X-ray of hands.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Advanced symmetrical sacroiliitis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
'Bamboo spine' with widespread bridging syndesmophytes.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Biopsy of skin lesions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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