sodium-ethylxanthate and Arthritis--Reactive

The occurrence of urogenital involvements in female sexual partners of males with Reiter's syndrome (RS) or suspicion of RS (SRS) was studied. The possible etiological role of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) was demonstrated by isolation and by immunofluorescence (IF) serology. Evidence of chlamydial infection (positive isolation and/or IF titre greater than or equal to 64) was found in 35 out of 56 (62,5%) males with RS and in 9 out of 16 (56,3%) males with SRS. 43 female sexual partners of these men were studied. Evidence of present or past chlamydial infection was demonstrated in 23 of these 43 females (53,5%). This was a significantly higher frequency than that evidenced among controls studied, 14/77 verified serologically and 3/81 by isolation, p less than 0.0025 and p less than 0.005, respectively. A history of dysuria occurred in 10 out of 43 female sexual partners and in only 20 out of 364 interviewed randomly selected controls (p less than 0.00025). Abnormal urinary findings were also more frequent among the sexual partners than among the controls (p less than 0.025). The results emphasize the role of Ct as a triggering factor in RS and stress the importance of urogenital investigations among couples with RS.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Arthritis, Reactive; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Genital Diseases, Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Middle Aged; Sex; Urologic Diseases

To examine the occurrence of signs and symptoms of Reiter's syndrome (RS) in female sexual partners of males with RS we have investigated 43 female consorts of 42 males, originating from 72 consecutive patients suffering from RS or suspicion of RS (SRS). Anamnestic mono-, oligo- or polyarthritis occurred in 14 of the 43 females (32,6%) as compared to 28 out of 311 randomly selected interviewed controls (9,0%). Five of the 43 females had RS and 7 had SRS, (27,9%). However, the diagnosis could have been possible with only anamnestic information in 6 (14%) as compared to 7 out of 311 controls (2,3%). Taking into consideration the 30 males whose sexual partners were not investigated, the theoretically counted values still differ significantly from those of the controls (p less than 0.01). A history of urogenital and, on the other hand, nasopharyngeal or pulmonary infections involvements preceded equally frequently the first or further joint attacks. Evidence of chlamydial infection was found in 53,5% (32/43) of the partners while Yersinia antibodies measured by ELISA occurred with the same frequency as among healthy blood donors. We would like to stress the importance of various infectious involvements, especially sexually transmitted diseases, as etiological agents in joint attacks in females who are sexual partners of males with RS.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Arthritis, Reactive; Bone Diseases; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular Diseases; Sex; Yersinia

With sexually transmitted rheumatic diseases in mind we investigated 37 male sexual partners of females with Reiter's syndrome (RS) or suspicion of RS (SRS). Controls were 219 randomly selected interviewed males. A history of urogenital involvements was found in 19/37 (51,4%) as compared to 65/219 (29,7%). Anamnestic nonspecific urethritis, dysuria, gonorrhoea, condylomata acuminata and prostatitis occurred more frequently in the 37 males than in the controls (p less than 0.05 - p less than 0.025). Six out of 37 as compared to 5 of 219 had a history of balanitis (p less than 0.0025). Anamnestic synovitis was found in 8/37 (21,6%) and in 9/219 (4,1%) (p less than 0.001) RS or SRS was diagnosed in 6/37 (16,2%). Taking into consideration the consecutive females with RS or SRS, whose sexual partners were not investigated, the theoretical counting still shows clear differences in the anamnestic occurrence of synovitis and balanitis between the 37 males and the controls (p less than 0.0125 - p less than 0.05). The results emphasize the important role of sexually acquired and maintained RS in rheumatology.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arthritis, Reactive; Bone Diseases; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Female; Genital Diseases, Male; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking; Middle Aged; Sex; Urologic Diseases

Topics: Arthritis, Reactive; Female; Humans; Male; Sex; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Topics: Adolescent; Aging; Arthritis; Arthritis, Juvenile; Arthritis, Reactive; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Humans; Osteoporosis; Psoriasis; Rheumatic Diseases; Sex; Spinal Diseases; Spondylitis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Topics: Adolescent; Africa; Africa, Eastern; Arthritis; Arthritis, Reactive; Black People; Child; Gout; Humans; Infant; Kenya; Rheumatic Fever; Rheumatic Heart Disease; Sex; Statistics as Topic