American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What infection should patients with reactive arthritis be tested for?

1. Human immunodeficiency virus

2. Chlamydia infection

3. Gonorrhea

4. Syphilis

The correct answer is: Chlamydia infection

Patients with reactive arthritis should be tested for Chlamydia infection because this sexually transmitted infection is one of the most common triggers of reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis typically develops following an infection, and in many cases, Chlamydia is involved due to its prevalence as a urogenital pathogen. Testing for Chlamydia is specifically recommended because the arthritis can occur a few weeks after the initial infection, which may be asymptomatic. Identifying and treating a Chlamydia infection can help manage the underlying cause of reactive arthritis and potentially mitigate the musculoskeletal symptoms associated with it. While infections like HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis are also important to consider in patients with joint inflammation, they are not the primary infections associated with the onset of reactive arthritis. Thus, focusing on Chlamydia is essential for appropriate diagnosis and management.