Indications directory

Infection-associated arthritis is usually in close timely connection to previous infection. Positive serological findings alone are no proof of diagnosis.

Basic evaluations:

CRP, RF (is always negative)

Infection serology:

Stage 1 (Screening):

Yersinia enterocolitica, chlamydia trachomatis (serology and /or PCR); borrelia, ASL

Stage 2 (as per clinical suspicion):

Overview of pathogens:

Gastrointestinal tract:

Salmonella, campylobacter jejuni, less common Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, shigella sonnei, clostridium difficile, brucellosis, intestinal parasites

Urogenital tract:

Chlamydia trachomatis, less common ureaplasma urealyticum, mycoplasma hominis, Neisseria gonorrhea

Parenteral:

Borrelia burgdorferi, less common hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV (consent required), rubella, adeno-, echo,- Coxsackie-B viruses, HSV, VZV, EBV, CMV

Respiratory tract:

Chlamydia pneumonia, streptococcus pyogenes, hemophilus influence, Neisseria meningitides, parvovirus B19, rubella virus

Pathogen evaluation in the stool:

Yersinia, campylobacter jejuni, salmonella, shigella, clostridium difficile, intestinal parasites

Pathogen evaluation in the urethral swab:

Chlamydia, gonococcus, mycoplasms

Further evaluations:

HLA-B27 (RR: 17-20, genetic predisposition)

Please also refer to section “arthritis” in the indication directory