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Review
. 2016 Apr;16(2):129-34.
doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.16-2-129.

Viral arthritis

Michael Marks  1 , Jonathan L Marks  2
Affiliations
Review

Viral arthritis

Michael Marks et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Acute-onset arthritis is a common clinical problem facing both the general clinician and the rheumatologist. A viral aetiology is though to be responsible for approximately 1% of all cases of acute arthritis with a wide range of causal agents recognised. The epidemiology of acute viral arthritis continues to evolve, with some aetiologies, such as rubella, becoming less common due to vaccination, while some vector-borne viruses have become more widespread. A travel history therefore forms an important part of the assessment of patients presenting with an acute arthritis. Worldwide, parvovirus B19, hepatitis B and C, HIV and the alphaviruses are among the most important causes of virally mediated arthritis. Targeted serological testing may be of value in establishing a diagnosis, and clinicians must also be aware that low-titre autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody, can occur in the context of acute viral arthritis. A careful consideration of epidemiological, clinical and serological features is therefore required to guide clinicians in making diagnostic and treatment decisions. While most virally mediated arthritides are self-limiting some warrant the initiation of specific antiviral therapy.

Keywords: Arthritis; alphavirus; arthralgia; hepatitis; parvovirus B19.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Geographic range of alphaviruses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Viral arthritis.
    Wingfield T. Wingfield T. Clin Med (Lond). 2016 Aug;16(4):399-400. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.16-4-399a. Clin Med (Lond). 2016. PMID: 27481394 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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