The occurrence of antibodies against Chlamydia species in patients with monoarthritis and chronic closed lock of the temporomandibular joint.
OBJECTIVE
The study goal was to investigate the occurrence of serum antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) monoarthritis or chronic closed lock and in control subjects.


METHODS
An indirect microimmunofluorescence test for detecting antibodies against C trachomatis was used. Twenty-three patients (12 with monoarthritis and 11 with chronic closed lock) and 42 control subjects were evaluated.


RESULTS
Six patients with monoarthritis, 5 patients with chronic closed lock of the TMJ, and 6 control individuals were considered to have had a past C trachomatis infection based on their immunoglobulin G titers. Corresponding groups for C pneumoniae investigation included 3 patients with monoarthritis, 4 patients with chronic closed lock, and 17 control subjects, and for C psittaci, 1 patient with monoarthritis, 2 patients with chronic closed lock, and 1 control subject. Statistically significant differences between patients and control subjects were found for C trachomatis only; monoarthritis versus control (P =.016), chronic closed lock versus control (P =.038), and all patients versus control (P =.007). Patients with monoarthritis did not differ from patients with chronic closed lock with regard to antibodies against C trachomatis.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of serum antibodies to C trachomatis was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects, but this occurrence did not correlate with severity of observed tissue changes. Nevertheless, an association may exist between the presence of C trachomatis and TMJ disease.
Paegle
Diana I
DI
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Holmlund
Anders B
AB
öStlund
Maria Rotzén
MR
Grillner
Lena
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001168:Arthritis / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial