Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an increasingly common and important cause of a fever in a returning traveler. Systemic complications of STIs, human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion illness, and secondary syphilis are diagnoses that can easily be missed. We present a case of culture-negative disseminated gonococcal infection presenting with fever, malaise, polyarthralgia, arthritis, and a rash that developed following orogenital contact and was diagnosed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. This technology has major potential to improve the speed and sensitivity of diagnosis and consequent management of patients with this syndrome.
Study site: United Kingdom (patient had recent travel to Thailand and Malaysia)