Massachusetts General Hospital

Deer tick bacteria DNA in joint fluid not reliable marker of active lyme arthritis

Patients with persistent arthritis require more intensive antibiotic and DMARD therapy

17/May/2011

New research shows that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA—the spirochetal bacteria transmitted by deer ticks—in joint fluid may confirm the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis, but is not a reliable indicator for active joint infection in patients whose arthritis persists after antibiotic therapy. Findings of this study are published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Link to journal release on study led by MGH physician Allen Steere.