reactive arthritis

reactive arthritis A chronic form of inflammatory arthritis that features arthritis, inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), and inflammation of the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems. Reactive arthritis is the preferred name for what was formerly called Reiter syndrome. Reactive arthritis seems to involve an immune system that is “reacting” to the presence of a bacterial infection in the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal system. Accordingly, certain people’s immune systems are genetically primed to react aberrantly when these areas are exposed to particular bacteria. The aberrant reaction of the immune system leads to inflammation in the joints, eyes, and genital, urinary or gastrointestinal system. See also arthritis; arthritis, Reiter syndrome; keratodermia blennorrhagicum.