Rational diagnosis and treatment in unclassified arthritis: how clinical data may guide requests for Lyme serology and antibiotic treatment
Article Abstract:
The medical history of patients with unclassified arthritis may help determine whether they have Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a disorder caused by the parasite Borrelia burgdorferi that is characterized by arthritis attacks of varying length. A study ranked 102 patients with unclassified arthritis as to their likelihood of having Lyme disease based on their medical history. Patients ranked as one were unlikely to have Lyme disease, and those ranked as four were very likely to have Lyme disease. Nine patients (9%) were positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies to B. burgdorferi. Forty percent of the patients ranked as three or four had antibodies to B. burgdorferi, compared with only 3% of the patients ranked as one or two.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1993
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Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi by polymerase chain reaction in synovial membrane, but not in synovial fluid from patients with persisting Lyme arthritis after antibiotic therapy
Article Abstract:
Lyme disease patients with continued arthritis following antibiotic therapy may have persistent Borrelia infection of synovial membranes. Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete and spread by bites from ticks. Researchers examined urine, synovial fluid, and synovial membrane specimens from four Lyme patients with persistent symptoms after treatment. DNA analysis revealed evidence of the organism in synovial membrane samples, but not in synovial fluid or urine samples. Synovial membrane testing may identify patients who require additional antibiotic therapy.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1998
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Recurrent lung shadowing in adult juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Article Abstract:
A case is reported of a 25-year-old woman who developed lung disease caused by the drug sulfasalazine, which she was taking for arthritis. Her lung condition cleared up when she stopped taking the drug and was treated with corticosteroids.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1999
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