Reactive Arthritis Provoked by Campylobacter jejuni Enterocolitis Mimicking Prosthetic Joint Infection

• DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.20.00043
• Publication Date: 2020-07-29T15:03:11Z
• Authors: Rene Mihalič; Rihard Trebše
• Keywords: Male; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Knee Joint; Enterocolitis; Middle Aged; Arthritis, Reactive; 3. Good health; Campylobacter jejuni; Diagnosis, Differential; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Campylobacter Infections; Prohibitins; Humans; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee

Case: A 59-year-old man with previously well-functioning partial knee replacement was admitted with a warm, swollen, and painful knee. The clinical presentation was consistent with prosthetic joint infection (PJI), but the synovial fluid analysis was negative for microbial growth. Further discussion revealed earlier Campylobacter jejuni enterocolitis that subsequently provoked reactive arthritis (ReA) mimicking PJI. The patient was treated with oral naproxen and intra-articular injection of triamcinolone and recovered completely without antibiotics or surgery. After 29 months, the knee is functioning normally.

Conclusion: ReA is rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of PJI.