HIV-associated arthritis

Etiology

• rheumatic disorders that abate with onset of AIDS
  • rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• rheumatic disorders described as a manifestation of HIV
  • Reiter's syndrome
  • psoriatic arthritis
• secondary septic arthritis in HIV+ hosts
  • bacterial, fungal & mycobacterial infections
  • associated with CD4 counts < 200/mm3 or IV drug abuse

Clinical manifestations

• arthritis & myalgias are common manifestations of early disseminated HIV
• viral arthritis due to HIV
  • intense joint pain
  • mild joint swelling

Laboratory

• joint fluid leukocytes are minimally elevated
• HIV can be identified in the joint fluid

Management

• septic arthritis in AIDS patients generally requires therapy for life

More general terms

• infectious arthritis (septic arthritis)
• complications in patients with HIV1 infection