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Reactive arthritis following COVID-19: clinical case presentation and literature review

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Abstract

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a clinical condition typically triggered by extra-articular bacterial infections and often associated with the presence of HLA-B27. While ReA has traditionally been associated with gastrointestinal and genitourinary infections, its pathogenesis involves immune and inflammatory responses that lead to joint affections. The emergence of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has prompted studies of plausible associations of the virus with ReA. We present a case of ReA in a patient who survived COVID-19 and presented with joint affections. The patient, a 31-year-old man, presented with lower limb joints pain. SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by PCR testing during COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Following a thorough examination and exclusion of all ReA-associated infections, a diagnosis of ReA after COVID-19 was confirmed. In addition, this article encompasses a study of similar clinical cases of ReA following COVID-19 reported worldwide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Biochemistry, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan

    Dana Bekaryssova & Marlen Yessirkepov

  2. Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan

    Sholpan Bekarissova

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  1. Dana Bekaryssova
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  2. Marlen Yessirkepov
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  3. Sholpan Bekarissova
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All co-authors have contributed substantially to the concept, case description, searches of relevant articles, and revisions. They approved the final version of the manuscript and take full responsibility for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Dana Bekaryssova.

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Bekaryssova, D., Yessirkepov, M. & Bekarissova, S. Reactive arthritis following COVID-19: clinical case presentation and literature review. Rheumatol Int 44, 191–195 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-023-05480-6

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