The role of Chlamydia and Chlamydophila infections in reactive arthritis.
Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are human pathogens; the former being the etiologic agent for trachoma as well as a prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium, while C. pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen responsible for community-acquired pneumonia. Patients with reactive arthritis show evidence of present or past Chlamydial infection. Chlamydia spp., has been strongly implicated as a triggering factor for reactive arthritis. We describe the simultaneous occurrence of C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis infections in a subject with reactive arthritis. We suggest treatment for a patient with Chlamydia-associated arthritis to define a means by which persistent organisms can be induced to return to the active developmental cycle, thereby making them more accessible to antibiotic activity.
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery-Second University of Naples, Italy. antonietta.rizzo@unina2.it
Antonietta
A
Rizzo
Marina Di
MD
Domenico
Caterina Romano
CR
Carratelli
Rossella
R
Paolillo
D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004269:DNA, Bacterial