Schistosomiasis and Recurrent Arthritis: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Schistosomiasis is an endemic parasitic infection found in many tropical countries and is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. It can follow different and atypical clinical patterns. In these unusual cases, diagnosis may be difficult, as symptoms are unspecific.

Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Chikungunya Disease in Guadeloupe.

Chronic chikungunya disease is associated with a poor quality of life and a variety of symptoms, not restricted to the musculoskeletal system. Patients with chronic chikungunya disease in Guadeloupe were evaluated in order to identify the main factors determining the quality of life. Patients were followed up at a mean of 36 months after chikungunya infection, undergoing detailed clinical examination for musculoskeletal involvement, with assessment of subjective symptoms and the impact on mood, physical activity, and quality of life (SF12).

An atypical pneumococcal arthritis.

Bone and joint infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae usually occur in patients who are immunocompromised, and involve one site. The unique case of a 49-year-old immunocompetent man, with an unremarkable medical history, with septicaemia and polyarticular septic arthritis involving the shoulder and knee and with cervical spondylodiscitis due to S pneumoniae, is described. In this case, S pneumoniae probably originated from the gingiva, which is commonly colonised in children and adults.

Good outcome after rituximab treatment for a mixed warm and cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Mixed warm and cold autoimmune anaemia is a rare haemolytic anaemia that is commonly associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases. Although steroid therapy is the first-line treatment, rituximab represents a good alternative. The present study reports on a successful treatment with rituximab in a young woman suffering from a mixed warm and cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with a mixed connective tissue disease.