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Ankylosing spondylitis and genitourinary infection
1Department of Rheumatology, University Giessen, Ludwigstr. 37-39, D-61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.EurJMedRes@t-online.de
European Journal of Medical Research
|January 20, 1999
Summary
Chlamydia trachomatis infections are common in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Genitourinary infections in AS patients are frequently linked to HLA-B27 positivity but not chronic illness duration.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genitourinary Medicine
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton.
- Genitourinary infections can present with various symptoms and may be associated with certain genetic markers.
- The relationship between genitourinary infections, Chlamydia trachomatis, and HLA-B27 in AS patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of genitourinary infections in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
- To identify the causative microorganisms, particularly Chlamydia trachomatis, in these infections.
- To assess the association between genitourinary infections, HLA-B27 status, and disease chronicity in AS patients.
Main Methods:
- Medical-rheumatological examinations were conducted on 134 male and 32 female AS patients, and 33 women with ileitis terminalis Crohn's disease.
- Thorough investigations for genitourinary infections were performed, including identification of specific conditions like urethritis, prostatitis, and vaginitis.
- Microbiological cultures were used to isolate causative agents, and HLA-B27 typing was performed.
Main Results:
- Genitourinary infections, including urethroadnexitis, were found in a significant proportion of AS patients (37/134 males, 15/32 females).
- Chlamydia trachomatis was the most frequently isolated microorganism from patients with genitourinary infections.
- The majority of patients with genitourinary infections were HLA-B27 positive, but infection presence was not significantly associated with chronic illness duration.
Conclusions:
- Chlamydia trachomatis infection is prevalent in both male and female patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Genitourinary infections in this cohort tend to be associated with the presence of the HLA-B27 genetic marker.
- The duration of chronic illness in ankylosing spondylitis patients did not show a significant correlation with the presence of genitourinary infections.