RS3PE syndrome : no evidence for retroviruses

Objective. To determine whether human T cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV) infection is associated with remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome. Methods. Three patients presenting with RS 3 PE syndrome and 7 controls were examined for the presence of HTLV crossreactive antigens. Results. Our patients were elderly men who presented with typical symptoms of abrupt onset of synovitis of the wrist, carpal joints, metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, distal interphalangeal joints, and flexor tendons, associated with remarkable pitting edema of the hands