Reactive arthritis following tetanus vaccination: a case report

Abstract

We report a case of reactive arthritis following tetanus vaccination. A healthy 55-year-old woman presented with pain and acute swelling of the right knee two days after receiving a tetanus vaccination. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were elevated. Rheumatoid factor and human leukocyte antigen B-27 were negative. Her arthritis improved with the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One week later the knee swelling and pain had settled. Reactive arthritis may occur after tetanus vaccination.

Neglected reactive arthritis complicated by bilateral hip and temporomandibular joints ankylosis after a suspected tetanus infection: a case report

“…As the vaccine itself is considered an imitation of infection to stimulate the immune response [17], we proposed that the reported mechanism behind the development of ReA after tetanus vaccination [5][6][7][8] is the cause of the joint affection in the current case report. Although the exact mechanism by which vaccination trigger ReA is not fully understood [5], however, some theories were postulated to explain this reaction, as the vaccine itself may trigger reactive events in genetically susceptible individuals as it may resemble a host antigen leading to the activation of an autoimmune response which may be enhanced by HLAB27 [6]; however, the expression of HLAB27 is positive in about 75% of the cases [18]; the rest of the cases may be negative as the finding in the current case report.…”

“…Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a rare non-purulent joint inflammation condition with unknown exact etiology [3]; however, it was reported to be associated with various types of infection (upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital) [4]. Development of ReA had been reported after administration of various vaccinations, including influenza, rabies, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and tetanus vaccines in few case reports [5][6][7][8]; however, to the best of our knowledge, it had not been reported after a tetanus infection.…”

A Case of Reactive Arthritis Developed After Tetanus Vaccine

“…ReA after vaccinaition is a rare adverse event. To date, a few cases of arthropathy associated with vaccinations such as Hepatitis B, BCG, MMR, Influenza, Tetanus, typhoid, rabies and combined dyphteria, tatnus and pertussis were reported (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . The exact mechanism of the ReA after vaccination remains poorly understood.…”

“…The most important difficulty in diagnosis is lack of a specific diagnostic test (2) . Some cases of ReA development after vaccinations were published in the past years (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) . Here, we present a case with ReA following tetanus vaccination.…”

Extensive Limb Swelling after Td Vaccination in a Pregnant Woman

“…However, together with swelling, events may occur on the contralateral side or away from the vaccine area [4,5]. Keeping these side effects in mind an appropriate approach prevents unnecessary interventions, which could be lifesaving.…”