Reactive arthritis, formerly known as Reiter's syndrome, is a form of
inflammatoryarthritisthat develops in response to an infection in another part of the body (cross-reactivity). Coming into contact with bacteria and developing an infection can trigger the disease. Reactive arthritis is an
RF-seronegative,
HLA-B27-linked arthritis often precipitated by genitourinary or gastrointestinal
infections. The most common triggers are intestinal infections (with
Salmonella,
Shigellaor
Campylobacter) and sexually transmitted infections (with
Chlamydia trachomatis), however, it also can happen after
group A streptococcal infections. It most commonly strikes individuals aged 20–40 years of age, is more common in men than in women, and more common in white than in black people.
Patients with HIV have an increased risk of developing reactive arthritis as well.