RESEARCH - Controversial antibiotic treatment could lead to a cure for reactive arthritis

[Guest guest]

Controversial Antibiotic Treatment Could Lead To A Cure For Reactive Arthritis

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 30 Apr 2010 - 4:00 PDT

Researchers from University of South Florida College of Medicine found

a combination of antibiotics to be an effective treatment for

Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis, a major step forward in the

management, and possibly cure, of this disease. Results of this study

are published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of

the American College of Rheumatology.

Reactive arthritis (ReA), also known as Reiter's syndrome, occurs in

response to an infection. According to National Institute of Arthritis

and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the bacterium most

often associated with ReA is Chlamydia trachomatis. Respiratory

infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae can also trigger ReA, while

associated infections in the digestive tract include Salmonella,

Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. ReA symptoms usually last 3 to

12 months, although symptoms can return or develop into a long-term

disease. In the past it was thought that only a small percentage of

people would experience chronic symptoms of ReA. However, more recent

data suggests that as many as 30%-50% of patients could develop a

chronic form of the disease. In chronic ReA, symptoms can be severe

and difficult to control with treatment, which could lead to joint

damage.

*************************************

Read the full article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/187165.php

Not an MD