Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis as an effective treatment for Reiter disease

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2012 Apr;37(3):241-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04181.x. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

Abstract

Reiter disease (RD) is characterized by a triad of sterile arthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis. The conditions occur concomitantly or sequentially, and are associated with mucocutaneous features such as circinate balanitis and stomatitis. Arthritis usually occurs in attacks followed by recovery, but it sometimes progresses to permanent damage of the affected joints. Because the symptoms of this disorder are attributable to activated neutrophils, we assessed the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) in a 73-year-old man with RD who had skin rashes on his penis, scrotum and right hand, with severe arthralgia. The patient's skin rash and joint pain responded dramatically to five sessions of GCAP delivered at intervals of 5 days. We present a detailed description of the patient and discuss the mechanisms of GCAP, and suggest that GCAP may be useful for treating RD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Reactive / therapy*
  • Genital Diseases, Male / etiology
  • Genital Diseases, Male / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Leukapheresis / methods*
  • Male
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / etiology
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome