Reactive arthritis developing after pneumococcal conjunctivitis: a case report

Amit S Verma¹ and Dorian Dwarika²

¹Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK

²City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, UK

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2007, 1:2doi:10.1186/1752-1947-1-2


Published:	2 February 2007

Abstract

Background

S. pneumoniae is a known cause of bacterial conjunctivitis and can be transmitted through contact with infected carriers.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old ophthalmologist developing reactive arthritis following clinic-acquired pneumococcal conjunctivitis.

Conclusion

(1) Despite the frequency and largely self-limiting nature of infective conjunctivitis, it should be appropriately assessed and managed, as the natural history can occasionally be associated with significant morbidity. (2) Hygienic measures are required to be implemented by both patients and ophthalmic staff to reduce the likelihood of transmission.