Absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 1994 Oct;53(10):695-8. doi: 10.1136/ard.53.10.695.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA can be detected in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The polymerase chain reaction was applied to cellular components of synovial fluid.

Results: No evidence of M tuberculosis DNA was found in synovial fluid from 31 patients with RA and 13 control patients.

Conclusion: The findings do not support a role for persistent M tuberculosis infection in the pathogenesis of RA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthritis / microbiology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / microbiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Synovial Fluid / microbiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial