Rapidly progressive seronegative spondylarthropathy with atlantodental subluxation in a patient with moderately advanced HIV infection.

It has been suggested that the immunosuppressed state associated with HIV infection may influence the clinical course of rheumatic diseases. We describe the case of a patient with moderately advanced HIV infection who developed a psoriatic rash and a rapidly progressive spondylarthropathy of the cervical spine with atlantodental subluxation requiring spondylodesis. This case supports the hypothesis that HIV infection may be associated with uncommon manifestations and a rapidly progressive course refractory to medical therapy in patients with spondylarthropathy.