Mumps arthritis: a review of the literature.

Arthropathy is an unusual but significant complication of mumps viral infection. Predominantly affecting young adult males, large and small joint involvement occur before, after, or in the absence of parotitis. Fever, leukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate accompany an occasionally protracted course. A high incidence of associated visceral manifestations occurs among patients with mumps arthritis. A review of the pathogenesis of these other complications suggests direct viral invasion as the most likely pathogenesis of mumps arthritis. The possibility of mumps virus arthritis should be considered in patients with acute-onset, obscure, or febrile seronegative arthritis.