RESEARCH - Lyme arthritis study sheds light on antibiotic resistance and persistent joint inflammation

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Lyme Arthritis Study Sheds Light On Antibiotic Resistance And

Persistent Joint Inflammation

Article Date: 30 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PST

Lyme disease in the U.S. is caused by a form of bacteria, the

spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, infecting humans by tick bites. It

typically begins with a bull's-eye skin rash, accompanied by fever,

muscle aches, or other flu-like symptoms. If diagnosed early, Lyme can

be treated successfully within a month with either oral or intravenous

antibiotics. Nearly 60 percent of patients who do not receive

antibiotic therapy early in the illness develop intermittent or

persistent arthritis, particularly affecting the knees. Moreover, a

small percentage of Lyme patients who do receive antibiotic therapy

suffer from persistent arthritis for months or even several years

after 2-3 months of oral and intravenous antibiotic therapy. This

confounding condition has been termed antibiotic-refractory, or slowly

resolving, Lyme arthritis.

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Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/90294.php

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