Description

A patient with a parasitic disease may develop arthritis or arthralgia.


Parasites that may be associated with arthritis or arthralgia:

(1) visceral larva migrans due to Toxocara canis

(2) microfilaria

(3) Dracunculus

 

Mechanisms:

(1) direct involvement of joint and joint cavity

(2) immune complex formation

 

Clues to diagnosis:

(1) eosinophilia in joint fluid

(2) chylous joint fluid

(3) microfilaria in joint fluid

(4) parasitic antigen in joint fluid

 

The diagnosis requires exclusion of other conditions associated with arthritis or arthralgia such as autoimmune disease and viral hepatitis.


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