Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Temporomandibular Joint Pain Measurement by Bite Force and Von Frey Filament Assays in Mice
Published on: September 13, 2024
Reactive arthritis and internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint
Charles H Henry1, Judith A Whittum-Hudson, Gregory T Tull
1Keene, NH, USA. chenry@pol.net <chenry@pol.net>
Objective:
The objective of this study was to determine if temporomandibular joint (TMJ) samples positive for Chlamydia trachomatis have a greater presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) when compared with Chlamydia-negative samples.
Study Design:
Posterior bilaminar tissue samples removed during TMJ surgery from 70 patients were evaluated. Cryosections were stained using monoclonal antibody that identifies C. trachomatis. The presence of IL-6 and TNFalpha were evaluated by immunostaining in 15 samples positive and in 25 samples negative for the presence of C. trachomatis.
Results:
Of the 70 TMJ samples, 32 (46%) were positive for C. trachomatis. In 15 samples positive for C. trachomatis, 10 (67%) were positive for TNFalpha and 7 (47%) for IL-6. In 25 samples negative for C. trachomatis, only 4 (16%) were positive for TNFalpha and only 2 (8%) for IL-6. Differences in C. trachomatis-positive samples versus negative were significant for both TNFalpha (P < .002) and IL-6 (P < .008).
Conclusion:
The presence of C. trachomatis in the TMJ is associated with a significantly increased presence of TNFalpha and IL-6.
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