Reiter’s Syndrome

Definition

Reiter’s syndrome is an inflammatory reaction to an infection somewhere in the body. It usually follows an infection of the urinary, genital, or digestive tract. Symptoms of the disorder primarily involve:

• The joints
• The eyes
• The urinary or genital tract

Causes

Reiter's syndrome is triggered by certain infections in a genetically sensitive person. The infection often starts in the urinary or genital tract. It is usually caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.Chlamydia is passed between people through sexual activity.

The infection can also begin in the digestive system. In these cases, the infection occurs after eating food tainted with bacteria, usually Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, or Campylobacter.

About 1 to 4 weeks after the infection, a susceptible person may develop Reiter’s syndrome. Doctors do not know why some people develop the disease and others do not. Most patients with the condition carry a specific genetic factor called HLA-B27 (or the B27 gene).

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your risk of getting Reiter's syndrome include:

• Family members with Reiter's syndrome
• Inheriting the genetic trait associated with Reiter’s syndrome (HLA-B27)
• Having a chlamydia infection or an infection in the digestive system

Symptoms

Symptoms occur in three main areas of the body: the joints, the eyes, and the urinary tract and genitals. Men and women may experience different symptoms. The disease may be milder in women. Symptoms may come and go. In rare cases, heart problems may develop later in the disease.

Specific symptoms include the following:

In the Urinary Tract and Reproductive System

In men:

• Frequent urination
• Burning sensation when passing urine
• Penal discharge
• Sores on the penis

Male Urinary System

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In women:

• Burning sensation when passing urine
• Inflamed vagina and cervix

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor uses these findings to help make the diagnosis. There is no specific test to check for Reiter’s syndrome.

Your doctor may need to test your bodily fluids and tissues. This can be done with:

• Blood tests
• Culture, gram stain, or other tests
• Removal of synovial fluid

Your doctor may need pictures of your bodily structures. This can be done with X-rays.

Treatment

There is no cure for Reiter’s syndrome. Most patients recover from the initial episode within 12 months. But some develop mild, chronic arthritis. Some patients suffer from additional episodes of the disorder.

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and may include:

Prevention

The key to preventing Reiter's syndrome is avoiding the triggering infection. To do so, take these steps:

• Avoid sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), either by abstaining from sex or practicing safe sex, which includes:
  • Always use a latex condom during sexual activity
  • Ask sex partners about any history of sexual disease
  • Have sex with only one partner who only has sex with you
  • Do not go back and forth between sexual partners
  • Have regular checkups for STDs
• Take steps to prevent chlamydia urogenital infections:
  • If you are a women age 25 or younger, get tested for chlamydia annually
  • If you are pregnant, get tested for chlamydia
  • If you are a man who has sex with men, get screened annually.
• Avoid intestinal infections:
  • Wash hands before eating or handling food
  • Only eat foods that have been stored and prepared properly