The sera of patients with Klebsiella infections contain a common anti-DNA idiotype (16/6) Id and anti-polynucleotide activity.
In view of recent reports linking Klebsiella pneumoniae with autoimmunity, we have examined the sera of 52 patients with urinary tract infection or septicaemia from this Gram-negative pathogen, for the presence of antibodies to DNA, polynucleotides, cardiolipin and a common anti-DNA idiotype 16/6. Up to 27% of these patients had anti-polynucleotide antibodies detectable, and in 37% the 16/6 idiotype was found. Absorption of the sera of two patients, with no DNA binding, against the Klebsiella polysaccharide K-30 induced a significant fall in both their anti-K30 antibody and 16/6 idiotype levels. Among 52 patients with other Gram negative infections a maximum of 17% and 19% respectively, had anti-DNA antibodies and the 16/6 idiotype present in their serum. In 37 normal controls, the rate of antibody and idiotype detection was 5% or less. The presence of autoantibodies in the serum of patients with Klebsiella infections may be the result of non-specific stimulation due to bacterial polyclonal activation. However, there might also be a specific stimulus triggered by idiotypic cross-reaction between autoantibodies and anti-Klebsiella antibodies.
el-Roiey
A
A
Sela
O
O
Isenberg
D A
DA
Feldman
R
R
Colaco
B C
BC
Kennedy
R C
RC
Shoenfeld
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000032:analysis*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011119:Polynucleotides / Q000276:immunology*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D002308:Cardiolipins; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011119:Polynucleotides; D004247:DNA