Full Papers
Identification of Chlamydophila psittaci of the temporomandibular joint with internal derangement
C.H. Henry1, A.P. Hudson2, J.A. Whittum-Hudson3, L.M. Wolford4
- Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA. chhenry@bu.edu
- Departments of Biochemistry, Immunology & Microbiology, Wayne State School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Departments of Biochemistry, Immunology & Microbiology, Wayne State School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor College of Dentistry-Texas A & M University System; and private practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
CER30
Full Papers
Received: 18/06/2026
Accepted : 15/07/2026
In Press: 27/07/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Reactive arthritis (ReA) has been extensively investigated as a consequence of triggering Chlamydophila (formerly Chlamydia) trachomatis infection. This study was undertaken to determine whether C. psittaci can be identified in subjects with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that have been exposed to household birds or domesticated fowl.
METHODS:
Posterior bilaminar tissue removed during TMJ surgery was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting 16s rRNA and ompA gene of C. psittaci. Thirty-four of 55 (62%) TMJ samples from subjects (52 F, 3 M) exposed to birds were positive for C. psittaci.
RESULTS:
The percentage of C. psittaci infected samples was significantly greater in the bird-exposed group than in the nonbird-exposed group (62% vs. 0%, p<0.001). The observed proportion of C. psittaci positive subjects n=34 (62%) to bird exposed but testing negative n=21 (38%) was significant p- 0.0398. Patients in households with exposure to birds are therefore more likely than chance to have transmission of C. psittaci.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients living in households with exposure to birds are at risk to have the zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci. Clinicians faced with patients having TMJ symptoms should explore a more thorough medical history including possible exposure to birds.
