Reactive arthritis is acute aseptic arthritis occurring 1 to 4 weeks after a distant infection in a genetically predisposed individual. It may occur after COVID-19 infection.
We summarize, in this article, the current findings of reactive arthritis following COVID-19 infection.
Frequent well-known triggers of reactive arthritis are bacterial infections of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The incidence of ReA ranged from 1 to 1.5% after gastrointestinal infection and 4 to 8% after genital Chlamydia infection. ReA presents, typically, as asymmetric oligoarticular arthritis of the lower limbs. Clinical manifestations may also include enthesitis, dactylitis, bursitis, and inflammatory back pain. In addition to bacteria, viral triggers such as parvovirus B19, Chikungunya virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported. It can also occur after BCG therapy.
Several cases of ReA have also been reported after COVID-19 infection.
