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The intestine and rheumatism

B Olhagen1

  • 1Dept. of Rheumatology, Karolinska Sjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.

Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
|February 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal infections, like those caused by Clostridium perfringens, can trigger rheumatic reactions. Research suggests a link between abnormal gut bacteria and immune responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Rheumatology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Intestinal infections are known to cause rheumatic reactions.
  • Specific microbes like Clostridium perfringens and Yersinia enterocolitica are implicated in enterocolitis.
  • Abnormal intestinal flora has been observed in patients with chronic arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of intestinal microbes in rheumatic reactions following infections.
  • To explore the association between Clostridium perfringens and rheumatoid disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent observations linking specific microbes to enterocolitis.
  • Analysis of findings regarding abnormal intestinal flora in arthritis patients.
  • Examination of antibodies to Clostridium perfringens alphatoxin.

Main Results:

  • Clostridium perfringens and Yersinia enterocolitica are potential culprits in certain enterocolitis cases.
  • Abnormal intestinal flora, particularly C. perfringens, is noted in chronic arthritis patients.
  • Presence of antibodies to C. perfringens alphatoxin suggests an immune response.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal infections can indeed elicit rheumatic reactions.
  • Clostridium perfringens may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid disease.

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