Abstract
Results of serological investigations on patients with joint pain, arthralgia or polyarthritis were analysed and this information was used to develop a diagnostic algorithm to ensure optimal utilisation of laboratory resources. Accordingly, all cases are now examined for parvovirus IgM, mycoplasma IgM and streptococcal antibodies. Further tests are undertaken by following the algorithm after obtaining supplementary information from a questionnaire. This approach is put forward as a preliminary standard which other laboratories may like to evaluate and develop according to local requirements.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Jones J. W., Pether J. V., Frost R. W. Human parvovirus B19. Hard to differentiate from infectious mononucleosis. BMJ. 1994 Feb 26;308(6928):595–595. doi: 10.1136/bmj.308.6928.595. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pether J. V., Lloyd G. The clinical spectrum of human hantavirus infection in Somerset, UK. Epidemiol Infect. 1993 Aug;111(1):171–175. doi: 10.1017/s095026880005679x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pinals R. S. Polyarthritis and fever. N Engl J Med. 1994 Mar 17;330(11):769–774. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199403173301108. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Reid D. M., Reid T. M., Brown T., Rennie J. A., Eastmond C. J. Human parvovirus-associated arthritis: a clinical and laboratory description. Lancet. 1985 Feb 23;1(8426):422–425. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)91146-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Steere A. C. Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. 1989 Aug 31;321(9):586–596. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198908313210906. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Svenungsson B. Reactive arthritis. BMJ. 1994 Mar 12;308(6930):671–672. doi: 10.1136/bmj.308.6930.671. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]