Exacerbation of B27 positive spondyloarthropathy by enteric infections

Abstract

Two patients developed reactive arthritis after enteritis secondary to Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella Group B, respectively. Each patient had an established spondyloarthropathy and was HLA-B27 positive. While enteric pathogens are widely reported to cause reactive arthritis, these patients illustrate that exacerbations of arthritic syndromes may also be precipitated. Our findings support the concept that abnormalities of bowel flora may affect the course of B27 associated arthropathies