Rheumatoid arthritis and Proteus: a possible aetiological association.
The presence of specific anti-Proteus antibodies in active, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, has been demonstrated by four different techniques: indirect bacterial agglutination, ELISA, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, anti-HLA-DR4 tissue typing sera have been shown to bind to Proteus microorganisms, thereby suggesting some molecular similarity or cross-reactivity between bacteria and HLA antigens. The concept is proposed that Proteus-reactive arthritis occurs during active phases of RA and tissue damage is mediated through immunological activity involving HLA antigens.
Ebringer
A
A
Department of Biochemistry, King's College, London, UK.
Khalafpour
S
S
Wilson
C
C
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000276:immunology*; D011514:Proteus vulgaris / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen