Journal article
Chlamydophila psittaci subclinical infection in chronic polyarthritis
M Fabris, S De Vita, E Pasini, L Quartuccio, E Pontarini, S Lombardi, C Fabro, P Sarzi-Puttini, R Pellerito, M Benucci, P Morassi, D Biasi, F Curcio, R Dolcetti
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology | CLINICAL & EXPER RHEUMATOLOGY | Published : 2011
Abstract
Objective: Recent evidence indicates that Chlamydophila psittaci (Cp) may establish chronic infections, which may promote autoimmunity and/or B cell lymphoproliferation. Methods: The presence of a subclinical Cp infection was investigated in 293 patients with chronic inflammatory polyarthritis, including 175 patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive and/or anti-CCP-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 118 with seronegative polyarthritis (46 RF-negative/anti-CCP-negative RA, 36 psoriatic arthritis and 36 undifferentiated spondylarthritis). One hundred and eighty-five healthy controls were also investigated. The presence of Cp infection was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ..
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Awarded by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro
Awarded by Regione Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Funding Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by grants from Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (to R.D, contract 10301). E.P. is a Fellow of the Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC). This work was also supported by Regione Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (LR26.05.07/art.23).