Chlamydia andBorrelia DNA in synovial fluid of patients with early undifferentiated oligoarthritis: Results of a prospective study

Abstract

With optimized PCR protocols, it is possible to detect considerable levels of Bb and Ct DNA in the synovial fluid of patients with UOA. Although the presence of bacterial DNA does not unequivocally prove its etiologic significance, we suggest that at least one-third of patients with UOA may have a form of ReA that involves asymptomatic primary infection.