Rheumatoid arthritis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection. 2023

Hirokazu Takaoka, and Taizo Shimomura, and Hitoshi Suzushima
Section of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Kumamoto Shinto General Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan.

A 72-year-old Japanese woman had right digital flexor tenosynovitis with a non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection, which was identified as Mycobacterium marinum in culture. She had been treated at another hospital with clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol for the non-tuberculous tenosynovitis. However, the swelling of her right hand worsened, and 5 months later, her left hand swelled and she exhibited symmetrical arthritis. Blood tests detected elevated serum C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor positivity. Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was suspected and corticosteroid treatment was started, she came to our hospital because of the insufficient treatment effect. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography showed intra-articular and peritendinous power Doppler signal-positive symmetrical synovitis. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the left hand without NTM tenosynovitis revealed findings of inflammatory synovitis accompanied by bone marrow oedema. We diagnosed RA and started treatment with weekly low-dose methotrexate pulses and 2 weeks of tocilizumab administration; her symptoms then disappeared within 2 months. This is a rare case of RA manifested with NTM-associated arthritis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D009170 Nontuberculous Mycobacteria So-called atypical species of the genus MYCOBACTERIUM that do not cause tuberculosis. They are also called tuberculoid bacilli, i.e.: M. abscessus, M. buruli, M. chelonae, M. duvalii, M. flavescens, M. fortuitum, M. gilvum, M. gordonae, M. intracellulare (see MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX;), M. kansasii, M. marinum, M. obuense, M. scrofulaceum, M. szulgai, M. terrae, M. ulcerans, M. xenopi. Atypical Mycobacteria,Mycobacteria, Atypical,Mycobacterium duvalii,Mycobacterium flavescens,Mycobacterium gilvum,Mycobacterium gordonae,Mycobacterium obuense,Mycobacterium szulgai,Mycobacterium terrae,Mycolicibacter terrae,Mycolicibacterium duvalii,Mycolicibacterium flavescens,Mycolicibacterium gilvum,Mycolicibacterium obuense,Tuberculoid Bacillus,Atypical Mycobacterium,Mycobacterium, Atypical,Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria,Nontuberculous Mycobacterium
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D013585 Synovitis Inflammation of the SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE. Plica Syndrome,Synovial Plica Syndrome,Synovial Hypertrophy,Synovial Thickening,Hypertrophies, Synovial,Hypertrophy, Synovial,Plica Syndrome, Synovial,Synovial Hypertrophies,Synovial Thickenings,Synovitides,Thickening, Synovial,Thickenings, Synovial
D013717 Tenosynovitis Inflammation of the synovial lining of a tendon sheath. Causes include trauma, tendon stress, bacterial disease (gonorrhea, tuberculosis), rheumatic disease, and gout. Common sites are the hand, wrist, shoulder capsule, hip capsule, hamstring muscles, and Achilles tendon. The tendon sheaths become inflamed and painful, and accumulate fluid. Joint mobility is usually reduced. Tenosynovitides

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