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The joint manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis in tropical Africa are characterized by the discreteness of the involvement of the hips and perhaps of the cervical spine. The extra-articular manifestations are rare and principally of the pulmonary fibrosis type. It is difficult to conclude on the more frequent sero-negativity of the disease, as the studies are incomplete. The overall tolerance of the disease appears to be good despite the limited treatment available.

Nine cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) among ivoirian Africans seen over a period of eleven years were studied. The pattern of clinical presentations is similar of that seen elsewhere. Photo-sensitivity is not described as in american Negroes. Death is usually due to severe infection. The incidence of the disease among populations of different african countries are compared. The low prevalence 0,18 p. mille may be a function of failure to diagnose the more mild cases.

From the starting point of two cases of ankylosing spondylitis, one of which began in youth, observed in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a review of the literature concerning the major cases amongst africans is carried out. This disease is unusual in tropical Africa: about thirty published cases, of varied origin. This low incidence of ankylosing spondylitis is correlated to the rarity of the HLA B27 group and of seronegative spondylitic joint diseases in general amongst the black population of Africa. Whereas the high incidence of forms with juvenile onset in North Africa suggests some connection with undetected Reiter's disease, the infrequency of this form of onset of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of bacteriologic evidence make it impossible to reach any such conclusions.