01652nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001200055653002600067653001600093653001800109653001100127653001100138653001200149653001200161653002300173653002300196653001300219100001500232245017200247300001200419490000700431520093400438022001401372       2003                            d  c2003 Apr10aAnimals10aArthritis, Infectious10aBrucellosis10aGlobal health10aHumans10aJoints10aleprosy10aMycoses10aParasitic Diseases10aRheumatic Diseases10aSyndrome1 aMcGill P E00aGeographically specific infections and arthritis, including rheumatic syndromes associated with certain fungi and parasites, Brucella species and Mycobacterium leprae.  a289-3070 v173 a<p>This overview is designed to introduce the reader to the broad spectrum of rheumatic syndromes associated with certain fungal and parasitic diseases, brucellosis and leprosy. Musculoskeletal disorders caused by fungi are uncommon and difficult to diagnose, particularly in the early stages. Deep fungal infections involve-in order of frequency-bone, soft tissues and joints. Rare but well-defined rheumatic syndromes occur in a variety of parasitic diseases. Brucellosis remains a major challenge to both human public health and clinical acumen in many countries today. The arthritis of leprosy deserves wider recognition and study as it contributes to disability and may hold clues to the mechanism of inflammation in other rheumatic disorders. All of the above may afflict residents in endemic areas and occasionally appear far from the source of origin in travellers or migrants, and usually cause diagnostic confusion.</p>  a1521-6942