Post-infective arthritis

Post-infective arthritis is a common problem presenting to rheumatology clinics. It may be considered as an arthritis that follows an identifiable infection, but does not have the features of joint sepsis. This review considers the range of post-infectious arthritides, and focuses particularly on spondyloarthropathies (sexually acquired and enteric reactive arthritis (SARA and ERA), and rheumatic fever. Microbiological triggers (both proven and proposed) are discussed, and the diagnosis, investigation and management of patients with these conditions is presented. The concept and evidence for post-streptococcal reactive arthritis is also discussed.