Reactive arthritis responding to antiretroviral therapy in an HIV-1-infected individual

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an autoimmune seronegative spondyloarthropathy that occurs in response to a urogenital or enteric infection. Several studies have reported a link between ReA and HIV infection. We report a case of an HIV-1-infected patient diagnosed with a disabling ReA who failed to respond to conventional therapy but whose symptoms resolved rapidly after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Clinicians may not be cognizant to this phenomenon and so this case report serves to remind clinicians that initiation of antiretroviral therapy should be considered in HIV-infected patients with ReA who are refractory to standard therapy.