macintosh
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It is stated on Page 82 of Kaplan Microbiology Lecture Notes Ed. 2005, that Borrelia burgdorferi causes arthritis by the mechanism of immune complexes. On the next page doxycycline or ceftriaxone is recommended as treatment options for the arthritis.
I find this confusing, as I think the two antibiotics mentioned above are of no use to clear the immune complexes, and therefore may not heal the arthritis. I would like to hear you point of view?
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| new_n_lost
Politically InCorrect
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Borrelia burgdorferi isnt this a bacteria in the first place. The uniqueness of the bacteria is that it induces a complete immunological reaction without giving out a hint of bacterial invasion and also growing the organism is particularly hard so identifying it in the body organs. We culture the bacteria to identify it but in Lyme's Disease even PCRs are of no help. Only the Immunological reaction is the available option.
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| macintosh
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Okay this is what I learned from good ol' google. The immune reaction is against the "Outer surface protein". Doxycycline being a bacteriostatic drug may then stop the colonization. However it may not eliminate the protein antigen once it is already present in the synovium.
Additionally does any one know where "outer surface protein" is actually located on the microbe.
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| icarus
Forum Senior
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To Macintosh
Maybe they are referring to the outer surface membrane proteins ( OMP ) Which are embedded in the biphospholipid layer (under the polysaccharide capsule)
To new_n_lost
I also agree that PCR would not give help with intracellular organisms, however, in the High Yield Microbiology (2007 edition) they mention PCR along with serology, and microscopy(acridine orange) to diagnose Borrelia ... i am confused !! ( I would say :
Intracellular pathogen --> PCR is no good
Antigenic variations (which also occurs in Borrelia) --> Serology is no good
what do you think guys ?
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