Intestinal infections from microorganisms such as Salmonella or Shigella, or a genitourinary tract infection from the Chlamydia pathogen, can cause reactive arthritis in patients. Joints “react” to the infection one to three weeks after contact, and a patient’s eyes and skin also can be impacted, according to a column by a local physician in Canada.Generally, one or a few joints swell and become painful, and those joints usually are the knees, hips, ankles, or feet. Often patients have low-back pain or heel pain at the point where the Achilles tendon inserts, notes Dr. Donohue.The course of the illness is unpredictable.Anti-inflammatory medicines like naproxen or indomethacin usually quiet the inflamed joints, and, if need be, cortisone drugs are prescribed.Patients with the gene imprint tag of HLA B27 are more susceptible to this kind of infection. – The EditorsFor more information, seeehttp://www.trurodaily.com/index.cfm?sid=108478&sc=73

The Shigella pathogen. Image: United National Environmental Program.

Posted: February 15th, 2008 under Arthritis.
Comments: 1

Science Daily reports: Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have discovered how a key protein switch allows Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) to spread to new vectors. The study explains how the virus has increased its ability to infect and be transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. CHIKV is an emerging arbovirus associated with several recent large-scale epidemics of arthritic disease. The virus has formerly been known to be carried primarily by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. However, a recent epidemic in the Indian Ocean islands suggested that something else was carrying the virus, as Ae. aegypti are not found there. In fact the relative Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus, was present. This prompted the team, led by Dr. Stephen Higgs, to look further into the virus.

See,

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207091940.htm

We understand that the research team found the mutant virus out-competed the other virus with respect to transmission by the tiger mosquito. This mosquito species is currently present in the U.S. and is spreading in Europe. To control the spread of infection, mosquito repellant, and improved sanitation, are both necessary. — The Editors

Posted: December 10th, 2007 under Arthritis, News.
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