An "Experimental" Epidemic of Reiter's Syndrome Revisited

Abstract
The relation between a specific infective event (shigellosis), a specific disease entity (Reiter''s syndrome), and a specific histocompatibility antigen (HL-A B27) is documented by follow-up study of an epidemic of post-Shigella Reiter''s syndrome. Five of the original 10 patients were traced, HL-A typed, and clinically assessed 13 years after the initial episode. One of the 5 has minimal disease, remains symptom-free, and is HL-A B27-negative. The remaining 4 followed a chronic course, have persistent active disease, and are HL-A B27-positive. After this single episode of shigellosis, 1/6-1/3 of the persons who were HL-A B27-positive developed Reiter''s syndrome. The prognosis for postdysenteric Reiter''s syndrome must be guarded, especially in the subject who is B27-positive.

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