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Anti-Yersinia antibodies are not associated with microscopic colitis in an American case-control study
Cyrus P Tamboli1, Meredith R Good, Erin M Reynolds
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, IA, USA. cyrus-tamboli@uiowa.edu
Background:
Microscopic colitis (MC), which consists of lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, may be triggered by gastrointestinal infections. Studies have suggested a relationship between MC and Yersinia enterocolitica infection. We tested this hypothesis in a case-control study of American patients with MC.
Methods:
Serum was collected from 47 patients with MC and 44 age- and gender-matched healthy controls at a large referral center in the mid-western United States. Anti-IgA and IgG antibodies to Y. enterocolitica were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fisher's exact test was used to assess statistical significance.
Results:
There were no differences between the two groups for seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia IgA (cases 2.1%, controls 2.3%, p = 1.00) or IgG antibodies (cases 4.3%, controls 6.8%, p = 0.67). There was no correlation between antibody titers and duration of MC diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Our data do not support the role of exposure to Y. enterocolitica in an American group of patients with MC.
Insights
This study found no evidence that Yersinia enterocolitica infection triggers microscopic colitis (MC) in American patients. Researchers did not detect a link between Yersinia antibodies and MC development in this case-control investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Microscopic colitis (MC), encompassing lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, is potentially linked to gastrointestinal infections.
- Previous research suggests a possible association between MC and Yersinia enterocolitica infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that Yersinia enterocolitica infection may trigger microscopic colitis in American patients.
- To examine the seroprevalence of antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica in MC patients compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 47 MC patients and 44 matched healthy controls.
- Serum samples were analyzed for anti-Yersinia enterocolitica IgA and IgG antibodies using ELISA.
- Fisher's exact test was employed for statistical significance assessment.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in the seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia IgA or IgG antibodies were observed between MC patients and controls.
- The prevalence rates for IgA antibodies were 2.1% in cases and 2.3% in controls (p = 1.00).
- The prevalence rates for IgG antibodies were 4.3% in cases and 6.8% in controls (p = 0.67).
- No correlation was found between antibody titers and the duration of MC diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings do not support a role for Yersinia enterocolitica exposure in the development of microscopic colitis among the studied American population.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential infectious triggers for microscopic colitis.
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