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Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases logoLink to Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
. 1976 Dec;35(6):502–509. doi: 10.1136/ard.35.6.502

Detection by electron microscope of rod-shaped organisms in synovial membrane from a patient with the arthritis of Whipple's disease.

C F Hawkins, M Farr, C J Morris, A M Hoare, N Williamson
PMCID: PMC1006593  PMID: 64131

Abstract

Rod-shaped organisms identical to those present in the jejunal mucosa have been found in the synovial membrane of a patient with Whipple's disease. These probably caused inflammatory changes which sere reflected in an increase of the cellular content and high enzyme levels (acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase) of the synovial fluid. Tetracycline was effective in controlling the bowel lesion but only had a temporary effect upon the arthritis. Erythromycin controlled both the bowel lesion and the arthritis.

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Selected References

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