Chlamydia pneumoniae--a new causative agent of reactive arthritis and undifferentiated oligoarthritis. Issue 2 (February 1994)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braun, J; Laitko, S; Treharne, J; Eggens, U; Wu, P; Distler, A; Sieper, J
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 53:Issue 2(1994)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 1994-02
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.53.2.100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE--To examine whether reactive arthritis (ReA) known to occur after a urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis can also follow an infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae, a recently described species of Chlamydiae that is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. METHODS--Specific antibodies (microimmunofluorescence test) and lymphocyte proliferation to C trachomatis and C pneumoniae in paired samples of peripheral blood and synovial fluid were investigated in 70 patients with either reactive arthritis (ReA) or undifferentiated oligoarthritis (UOA). RESULTS--Five patients with acute ReA after an infection with C pneumoniae are reported. Three had a symptomatic preceding upper respiratory tract infection and two had no such symptoms. In all patients a C pneumoniae-specific lymphocyte proliferation in synovial fluid and a high specific antibody titre suggesting an acute infection was found. CONCLUSION--C pneumoniae needs to be considered a new important cause of reactive arthritis.