KERATOSIS BLENNORRHAGICA WITHOUT GONORRHEA (REITER'S DISEASE?)

Abstract

Recently 2 patients were observed at the Massachusetts General Hospital whose cutaneous lesions suggested a gonorrheal eruption but for whom bacteriologic studies excluded the presence of a gonococcic infection. The first had cutaneous lesions identical with keratosis blennorrhagica and, in addition, chronic arthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis. The second had cutaneous lesions which were primarily purpuric and vesicular. On some of the lesions, particularly those situated over bony prominences, thick, hyperkeratotic scales developed, and they then resembled keratosis blennorrhagica. Chronic arthritis and conjunctivitis were present, but there was no urethritis. On the basis of the cases of these 2 patients and of cases described in the literature it will be stressed that lesions identical with those of keratosis blennorrhagica may occur in the absence of a gonococcic infection. The diagnosis of Reiter's disease has been suggested by some authors for lesions of this type. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN