RESEARCH - Chlamydia may have etiologic role in undifferentiated spondylarthritis

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Chlamydia May Have Etiologic Role in Undifferentiated Spondylarthritis

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 21 - A new study suggests that

chlamydial infection, which is often occult, may be a cause of

undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA) in many patients.

" Clinicians should consider chlamydiae as a potential trigger in these

patients, even in the absence of a clear history of such an

infection, " Dr. D. from University of South Florida

College of Medicine, Tampa, told Reuters Health.

" Patients are diagnosed with uSpA when it is clear that they have a

SpA, but the exact type is not clear, " Dr. explained. uSpA is

the second most common form of spondylarthritis, behind ankylosing

spondylitis.

Because Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae frequently

cause reactive arthritis, another subtype of SpA, Dr. 's team

assessed the prevalence of synovial C trachomatis and C pneumoniae in

26 patients with chronic uSpA and in 167 control subjects with

osteoarthritis.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/703190

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