Tuberculous rheumatism (Poncet's disease) in a child

Clinical features of Poncet's disease. From the description of 198 cases found in the literature

Poncet's disease (PD) is an entity described as a reactive arthritis due to tuberculous infection elsewhere from the joints. PD existence has been questioned; however, more cases have been reported over the years. Due to its rare nature, little is known about the clinical picture of this disease and no prospective studies had been made to address this issue. We performed a systematic review of the written literature on PD in different databases using the key words "Poncet's disease," "tuberculous rheumatism," and "tuberculous reactive arthritis." Out of 78 articles, 198 patients were included in the analysis, plus our patient. Several characteristic patterns were found. Also, a review of the pathogenesis and some hypotheses are made. PD is a well-defined entity, which should be taken as a reactive arthritis for future studies given the increase in TB incidence and prevalence around the world, especially in high-burden countries.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis monoarthritis in a child

A child with isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis monoarthritis, with features initially suggesting oligoarthritis subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is presented. This patient illustrates the need to consider the possibility of tuberculosis as the cause of oligoarthritis in high-risk pediatric populations even in the absence of a tuberculosis contact history and without evidence of overt pulmonary disease.

Paediatric rheumatology—A global perspective

This chapter aims to give a global perspective to paediatric rheumatology. The main points covered are the incidence, recognition of paediatric autoimmune diseases, and ethnic/geographic distribution. The most prevalent disease is juvenile idiopathic arthritis; robust data are still required for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma. Mimicking or overlapping infections are a major challenge in developing countries, and immunization policies in our patients in these areas need specific attention. The delivery of paediatric rheumatology care is also overviewed. Discrepancies in health-care resources and priorities are found in developing countries. Although most anti-rheumatic treatments are available worldwide, they are prohibitively expensive in many countries. For more traditional anti-rheumatic drugs there is still an ongoing need for good core outcome data across the world to ensure valid comparisons. Parent/patient education has been implemented worldwide in paediatric rheumatology through the power of the Internet. Physician and undergraduate training goals must be met to facilitate competent musculoskeletal assessment, a proper understanding of age-dependent variations, diagnosis, referral to specialists, and improved standards of care.

Unusual manifestations of osteoarticular tuberculosis

Unusual manifestations of osteoarticular tuberculosis, especially tubercular osteomyelitis, are described. Diagnostic problems may arise and lead to delay in treatment if these conditions are not considered in the differential diagnosis. The importance of bacteriologic and histopathologic confirmation of the disease is stressed.

Vasculitis from the pediatric perspective

This article reviews the spectrum of vasculitic illness affecting children. Apart from the relatively common vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, and in worldwide terms Takayasu disease) there are a number of important but comparatively rare disorders affecting children. As in adults, there is a considerable degree of overlap between the various vasculitic syndromes in childhood. With modern therapeutic agents, the prognosis for many of the childhood vasculitides has improved; however, in spite of this, there remains a not inconsequential morbidity and mortality. It is anticipated that as our knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of this group of disorders expands, classification and treatment of vasculitis in both children and adults will improve.

Poncet's disease in a north Indian hospital

Although the entity of tuberculous rheumatism or Poncet's disease has sometimes been the subject of debate, it has been reported infrequently in the English literature. We discuss here seven patients (5 women, 2 men; age 18-48 years) who presented primarily with polyarthritis and fever and developed pulmonary, pleural or nodal tuberculosis later in the course of disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, collagen vascular diseases and other common causes of polyarthritis were ruled out by appropriate investigations. Polyarthritis resolved in all the patients after the institution of antitubercular treatment and did not recur, thus providing a therapeutic confirmation of the clinical diagnosis.

Poncet's disease and papulonecrotic tuberculid in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

We report the case of a 27-year-old patient with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with a 2-week history of crops of painful, red papules over the trunk and extremities, together with a sterile, symmetric polyarthritis involving the small and large joints. Histologic study of a skin biopsy specimen demonstrated features of papulonecrotic tuberculid. Analytical and microbiologic studies ruled out tuberculous infection. Both the synovial and the skin processes were considered to be an immune response secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Specific treatment was established, and there was marked improvement in both the skin and joint symptoms. This case illustrates the complex relationship between the host and the HIV, suggesting an immune dysregulation cause for both the synovial and the skin lesions.

Childhood vasculitis

Vasculitis can and does occur in childhood. Apart from the relatively common vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease and in world wide terms Takayasu disease) there are a number of important but comparatively rare disorders affecting children. These include macroscopic and microscopic polyarteritis, cutaneous polyarteritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, primary angiitis of the central nervous system, hypersensitivity angiitis, hypocomplimentaemic urticarial vasculitis, vasculitis associated with various connective tissue disorders and vasculitis associated with conditions such as Behçets syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever and Cogan's syndrome. Distinguishing these conditions from other disorders is often difficult and requires clinical acumen and appropriate investigative procedures. With modern therapeutic agents, it is possible to implement appropriate therapy but in spite of this, there remains a not inconsequential morbidity and mortality.

Rare vasculitic syndromes

Vasculitis can and does occur in childhood. Apart from the common vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura, hypersensitivity angiitis and Kawasaki disease) there are a number of important but comparatively rare disorders affecting children. These include macroscopic and microscopic polyarteritis, cutaneous polyarteritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, primary angiitis of the central nervous system, hypocomplimentaemic urticarial vasculitis, vasculitis associated with various connective tissue disorders, Takayasu's disease and vasculitis associated with conditions such as Behcet's syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever and Cogan's syndrome. Distinguishing these conditions from other disorders is often difficult and requires clinical acumen and appropriate investigative procedures. With modern therapeutic agents it is possible to implement appropriate therapy but in spite of this, there remains a not inconsequential morbidity and mortality.

Tuberculous arthritis in children. Diagnosis by needle biopsy of the synovium

In two children ages 8 months and 4 years, tuberculous synovitis of the knee was suggested by pathologic examination of synovial tissue obtained through needle biopsy. Culture of the biopsy material was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in one case. In this child, the tuberculin test was negative, in the absence of anergy, at the time the child was first evaluated, and the primary lung lesion was not identified by the radiologist. Tuberculous synovitis has not previously been recognized as part of primary tuberculosis during the early weeks when the tuberculin skin test may be negative. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive modality for demonstrating joint fluid, synovial hypertrophy, and associated osteomyelitis, if present. With the increasing frequency of cases of tuberculosis in the population, greater awareness of the risk of tuberculous arthritis in childhood is important in order to recognize this unusual presentation. If negative early on, the tuberculin skin test should be repeated after 6 weeks of arthritis. A needle biopsy of the synovium is helpful and appropriate in all children with monoarticular arthritis who have a positive tuberculin skin test.