Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis. Use of polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical staining in the detection of bacterial components from synovial specimens

Arthritis Rheum. 1992 Jun;35(6):682-7. doi: 10.1002/art.1780350613.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether microbial DNA is present in synovial specimens from patients with Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis.

Methods: Synovial specimens from 13 patients with Yersinia enterocolitica O:3-triggered reactive arthritis and from 16 control patients were studied using polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical staining techniques.

Results: Yersinia chromosomal DNA was not found in any of the synovial specimens from Yersinia-triggered arthritis patients or controls, whereas with immunocytochemical techniques, Yersinia antigens were observed in synovial specimens from all of the patients with Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis.

Conclusion: Only stable bacterial degradation products, not whole bacteria, are present at the site of inflammation in Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Reactive / microbiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Synovial Fluid / chemistry
  • Synovial Fluid / cytology
  • Synovial Fluid / microbiology*
  • Yersinia Infections*
  • Yersinia enterocolitica* / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial