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Mycoplasmas and arthritis
Abstract:
At least 13 mycoplasma species cause arthritis in animals. In some cases it remains chronic, and in particular Mycoplasma hyorhinis in swine and Mycoplasma synoviae in poultry clinically and histologically resemble rheumatoid arthritis in man. Of patients with serologically verified Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections 0.9% had arthritis. Usually it is mild, but may sometimes be the dominant clinical feature. This mycoplasma has twice been cultured from the synovial fluid, as has Ureaplasma urealyticum. A few scientists have succeeded in isolating fastidious mycoplasmas from joint fluid specimens taken from human subjects with acute and chronic arthritis. Their subcultivation has often been difficult or unsuccessful. With the new methods available, renewed attempts to enlighten the possible role of mycoplasmas in human joint disease could now usefully be made.
Insights
Mycoplasma species cause animal arthritis, with some mimicking human rheumatoid arthritis. Renewed research with new methods may clarify mycoplasma
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Human Rheumatology
- Microbiology
Background:
- At least 13 mycoplasma species are known to cause arthritis in animals.
- Mycoplasma hyorhinis (swine) and Mycoplasma synoviae (poultry) infections exhibit clinical and histological similarities to human rheumatoid arthritis.
- A small percentage (0.9%) of human Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections result in arthritis, which can be mild or a dominant clinical feature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of mycoplasmas in human joint diseases.
- To encourage renewed research efforts using advanced methodologies to study fastidious mycoplasmas in human arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mycoplasma-induced arthritis in animals and humans.
- Mention of past difficulties in isolating and subculturing fastidious mycoplasmas from human joint fluid.
- Highlighting the availability of new methods for potential future research.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Ureaplasma urealyticum have been previously cultured from human synovial fluid.
- Isolation of fastidious mycoplasmas from human joint fluid has been challenging for researchers.
- Existing evidence suggests a possible link between mycoplasma infections and human arthritis.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma infections are a significant cause of arthritis in various animal species.
- The clinical presentation of some animal mycoplasmal arthritis models human rheumatoid arthritis.
- Further investigation utilizing contemporary techniques is warranted to ascertain the role of mycoplasmas in human joint diseases.