By Linda on Dec 7, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
HLA-DR alleles determine responsiveness to Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in a
mouse model of self-perpetuating arthritis.
Iliopoulou BP, Guerau-De-Arellano M, Huber BT.
Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
OBJECTIVE: Arthritis is a prominent manifestation of Lyme disease, which is
caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Chronic Lyme arthritis
persisting even after antibiotic treatment is linked to HLA-DRB1*0401 (DR4) and
related alleles. In contrast, patients whose Lyme arthritis resolves within 3
months postinfection show an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*1101 (DR11). The
aim of this study was to analyze the underlying mechanism by which HLA-DR
alleles confer genetic susceptibility or resistance to antibiotic-refractory
Lyme arthritis. Continued
By Linda on Dec 4, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
November 13, 2009 (Washington, DC) – The odds that a child living in a Lyme-endemic area of the United States who presents with a joint effusion will be diagnosed as having Lyme arthritis is 29%. The odds are even higher (44%) if the affected joint is the knee. The leukocyte count is useful in distinguishing between septic and Lyme arthritis, researchers announced here.
“There was an increase in the number of cases in the United States by 101% over the past 15 years, possibly due to increased recognition of Lyme disease,” said Aristides I. Cruz Jr., MD, resident in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. During his presentation, he noted that 93% of all Lyme disease cases arise from 10 states, most in the Northeast United States. Continued
By Linda on Nov 16, 2009 in F.I.G.H.T. | comments(0)
Low White Blood Cell Count Distinguishes Lyme Arthritis From Septic Arthritis
Crina Frincu-Mallos, PhD
November 13, 2009 (Washington, DC) — The odds that a child living in a Lyme-endemic area of the United States who presents with a joint effusion will be diagnosed as having Lyme arthritis is 29%. The odds are even higher (44%) if the affected joint is the knee. The leukocyte count is useful in distinguishing between septic and Lyme arthritis, researchers announced here. Continued
