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Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in urine of male patients with ankylosing spondylitis is not increased
  1. M van der Paardta,b,
  2. J C van Denderena,
  3. A J C van den Brulec,
  4. S A Morréc,
  5. I E van der Horst-Bruinsmab,
  6. P D Bezemerd,
  7. B A C Dijkmansa,b
  1. aJan van Breemen Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, bDepartment of Rheumatology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, cDepartment of Pathology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, dDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
  1. Dr van der Horst-Bruinsma, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatisinfections in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with controls, using DNA amplification assays in urine specimens.

METHODS The prevalence of C trachomatis infections was assessed in 32 male AS patients and 120 age and sex matched controls. Urine specimens were tested by ligase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction. In addition, blood samples of AS patients were tested on serum antibodies to C trachomatis (IgA and IgG) by a specific peptide based solid phase enzyme immunoassay. A questionnaire was used to assess the differences in sexual behaviour and ethnic origin between the two groups. AS patients were also asked about disease characteristics.

RESULTS No significant differences were found between cases and controls in the prevalence ofC trachomatis infections. No associations were found between C trachomatis antibodies and disease characteristics, except for acute anterior uveitis (AAU). Four of eight (50%) AS men positive for IgG had a history of AAU in comparison with three of 24 (12.5%) IgG negative men (OR = 7.0; 95% confidence intervals: 1.1, 44.1).

CONCLUSION The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatisinfections, as detected by commercially available DNA amplification assays in urine specimens, in AS patients is not higher compared with male controls of the same age. However, there seems to be an association between specific antibodies to C trachomatis and AAU.

  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • acute anterior uveitis
  • DNA amplification assays

https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.59.4.300

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