RESUMO
Protracted rheumatological manifestations especially arthralgia and or polyarthritis may occur as a consequence of a wide range of pathogens including viral, bacterial and parasites. Few pathogenetic mechanisms leading to these clinical presentations have been suggested including a direct invasion of the synovial cells by the pathogens, immune complex formation, and others. The natural history of infectious arthritis/arthralgia is altogether benign, with full recovery and without sequelae, albeit sometimes very long. Diagnosis of infections-related arthralgia/arthritis is important since these diseases have a better prognosis, and can relieve anxiety among patients who are afraid of developing a chronic rheumatic disease. Since many patients will seek medical advice with these chronic complaints a long time after travel, physicians should be aware of the possible association between these complaints and remote travel. Thus, travel history should be mandatory, even in a rheumatologic setting.
Assuntos
Artralgia/diagnóstico , Doenças Reumáticas/diagnóstico , Viagem , Artralgia/microbiologia , Artralgia/parasitologia , Artrite Infecciosa/diagnóstico , Artrite Infecciosa/microbiologia , Humanos , Prognóstico , Doenças Reumáticas/microbiologia , Doenças Reumáticas/parasitologiaRESUMO
This study describes some clinical and epidemiological features of childhood malaria in a moderately endemic area of southern Sri Lanka. Six hundred and sixty-two children, who experienced 1,138 attacks of malaria, and 172 children, who experienced 202 attacks of acute non-malarial fever, were followed over a period of two years. Of the 1,138 malaria infections followed, 776 were due to P. vivax, 359 were due to P. falciparum, and 3 were mixed infections. The majority of children presented within the first three days of the onset of symptoms. Headache (96%), feeling cold (81%) and arthralgia (77%) were the commonest presenting symptoms. Two hundred and sixty-four children experienced more than one attack of malaria. The clinical and epidemiological features of childhood malaria that have important implications for the planning and targeting of preventive measures are discussed.