A preliminary report on lower urinary tract inflammation in post dysenteric arthritis

Abstract

Acute oligoarthritis of large joints has been observed to follow epidemics of dysentery. The classical triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis and urethritis (Reiter's Syndrome) may follow such attacks of dysentery. Thus the urethritis, like the arthritis and conjunctivitis may be non-infective in origin. This study was done to find the incidence of lower urinary tract inflammation (LUTI) in post diarrhoeal arthritis occurring in males. Twenty two patients with acute arthritis were studied. They have had a diarrhoeal disease with in a period of six weeks prior to the joint symptoms. LUTI was shown by the following features. (a) A history of dysuriya and frequency of micturition. (b) Presence of Circinate balanitis or epididmitis. (c) Microscopic pyuria (10 puscells per high power field.) (d) Evidence of prostatitis on examination of prostatic fluids. The number of patients with dysuriya and frequency was 11 (50%)'.Objective evidence of LUTI was seen in 8 patients, of which 2 were asymptomatic. Bacteriological examination of the urine in 3 of the 4 patients with Microscopic pyuria showed no growth. LUTI is an important association of post diarrhoeal arthritis. As it may be of non infective origin specific therapy may not be indicated.