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Chlamydial infection preceding the development of rheumatoid arthritis: a brief report

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Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis-triggered reactive arthritis is a well-documented entity that has been extensively described. We do not have a clear understanding about the inflammatory oligoarthritis associated with the presence of this organism. It is rarely cultured from the synovial fluid, but is usually detectable by molecular biological techniques. Typically, Chlamydia trachomatis causes a sterile but inflammatory oligoarthritis. We report an unusual case of inflammatory monoarthritis in a young woman in whom Chlamydia was isolated from the synovial fluid. This is the first case of documented isolation of Chlamydia from synovial fluid, which subseqently was diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Dr Michael Ellman for his invaluable guidance in preparation of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Meenakshi Jolly.

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Jolly, M., Curran, J.J. Chlamydial infection preceding the development of rheumatoid arthritis: a brief report. Clin Rheumatol 23, 453–455 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-004-0904-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-004-0904-9

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