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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, March 2007, p. 953-957, Vol. 45, No. 3
0095-1137/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01973-06
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Distribution of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma salivarium in the Synovial Fluid of Arthritis Patients

Sheena M. Johnson,^1* Felix Bruckner,² and David Collins^2,

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 ORE,¹ Rheumatology Department, St. George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom²

Received 22 September 2006/ Returned for modification 28 October 2006/ Accepted 9 November 2006

By use of a very sensitive nested PCR method targeting part of the strongly conserved mycoplasmal 16S RNA genes, Mycoplasma pneumoniae was found in the synovial fluid of 19/24 (79%) of rheumatoid arthritis patients, 6/6 (100%) of patients with nonrheumatoid inflammatory arthritis, and 8/10 (80%) of osteoarthritis patients attending the rheumatology clinic for drainage of joint effusions. It was not found in the synovial exudates of 13 people attending the orthopedic clinic with traumatic knee injuries or undergoing surgery for knee replacement. However, M. pneumoniae was detected in 2/4 synovial biopsy specimens from orthopedic patients with traumatic knee injuries. M. pneumoniae was associated with the increased synovial fluids found in arthritic flares but was not found in the synovial fluids of trauma patients. Mycoplasma salivarium occurred sporadically. Mycoplasma fermentans had previously been isolated from patients with inflammatory cellular infiltrates, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but it was not detected for osteoarthritic patients from either clinic. It is possible that these organisms may contribute to chronic inflammation within the joints.

Published ahead of print on 22 November 2006.

Present address: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6BB, United Kingdom.