Causes of Reiter’s syndrome
Cause details for Reiter’s syndrome:
When a preceding infection is recognized, symptoms of
Reiter’s syndrome appear about 1 to 3 weeks after the infection.
Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacteria most often associated with
Reiter’s syndrome acquired through sexual contact. Several different
bacteria are associated with Reiter’s syndrome acquired through the
digestive tract, including Salmonella, Shigella,
Yersinia, and Campylobacter. People may become infected
with these bacteria after eating or handling improperly prepared food,
such as meats that are not stored at the correct
temperature.
Doctors do not know exactly why some people exposed
to these bacteria develop the disorder and others do not, but they have
identified a genetic factor (HLA–B27) that increases a person’s chance
of developing Reiter’s syndrome. About 80 percent of people with
Reiter’s syndrome are HLA–B27 positive. Only 6 percent of people who do
not have the syndrome have the HLA–B27 gene.1
Underlying condition causes of Reiter’s syndrome: The list of possible underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Reiter’s syndrome) mentioned in various sources as possible causes of Reiter’s syndrome includes:
- Sexually transmitted - 3% of men with an STD get Reiter's.
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Urinary tract infection
- Genitourinary tract infection
- Gastrointestinal infection
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Yersinia
- Campylobacter
Related information for causes of Reiter’s syndrome:
Further relevant information on causes of Reiter’s syndrome may be found
in the risk factors for Reiter’s syndrome
and underlying causes of Reiter’s syndrome.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Questions and Answers About Reiter's Syndrome: NIAMS
Last revision:
June 12, 2003
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