title: Rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection in two dogs.
abstract: Two dogs with clinical signs of polyarthritis developed rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. In both dogs, the diagnosis of B burgdorferi infection was based on clinical signs of disease and high serum B burgdorferi titer. After antibiotic administration, both dogs had decreased B burgdorferi titer, but clinical response was temporary or was lacking. The dogs subsequently were rheumatoid factor-positive (antinuclear antibody- and anti-globulin-negative) and responded to anti-inflammatory drug administration. Development of rheumatoid arthritis in both dogs after B burgdorferi infection implicates the Borrelia organism as an infective agent leading to the development of rheumatoid arthritis in dogs. Dogs with clinical signs suggestive of B burgdorferi infection should have antiglobulin, anti-nuclear antibody rheumatoid factor, and B burgdorferi tests performed to aid definitive diagnosis.
authors: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Roush
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: Manley
authors: R T
authors: RT
authors: Dueland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor