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Proteus mirabilis and rheumatoid arthritis: no association with the disease

S Chandrashekara1, M N Ramesh, A Shobha

  • 1M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India. chandrashekara_s@yahoo.com

Clinical Rheumatology
|October 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant difference in anti-Proteus antibodies (APA) between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy individuals. Proteus mirabilis does not appear to play a role in RA pathogenesis or exacerbation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis (PM) has been suggested to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis due to molecular mimicry.
  • Specifically, the EQRRAA sequences in the PM haemolysin B precursor share homology with sequences in the DRB1*0401 haplotype, a known RA susceptibility factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between anti-Proteus antibodies (APA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a specific population.
  • To compare APA levels in RA patients versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify IgG and total immunoglobulins (IgG + IgA + IgM) against PM.
  • Two antigen preparations were utilized: whole bacteria and SDS-lysed bacterial extract.
  • Serum samples were collected from 78 RA patients and 75 healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • No significant elevation in APA levels was observed in RA patients compared to healthy controls, irrespective of the antigen preparation used.
  • Anti-Proteus antibody concentrations did not correlate with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest that Proteus mirabilis does not have a pathological or aggravating role in rheumatoid arthritis within this population.
  • Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between microbial agents and autoimmune diseases like RA.

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