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Detection of bacterial DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with reactive arthritis
Bahaa E Ibrahiem1, Naglaa F Abd El Haliem, Nashwa El-Khouly
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (for girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract:
Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an infection-induced systemic illness characterized by an aseptic inflammatory joint involvement and occurring in genetically predisposed patients with a bacterial infection localized in a distant organ or system. We evaluated the possible role of bacterial infection in the etiology of reactive arthritis by testing peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) for the presence of prokaryotic 16S ribosomal RNA genes which are known as 16S rDNA. PBMCs were isolated from 40 patients with ReA and 10 healthy controls. Clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluations were carried out for all patients and controls. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the PBMCs and subjected to PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA gene followed by DNA sequencing and database comparative analysis. Bacterial DNA was detected in 16/40 (40%) patients and 3/10 (30%) healthy controls. No significant difference was detected between the PCR +ve and -ve groups of patients as regards arthritis, arthralgia, sacroiliitis, low back pain and enthesopathies (P>0.05), while a significant difference was detected in the PCR +ve females with gynaecological infection (P<0.05). A significant difference of the pattern of arthritis was also observed between the two groups of patients. Comparative analysis of 7 16S rDNA sequences from patients and controls using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCB1) database revealed high % similarity with potential pathogens and nonpathogenic bacteria. Further studies are needed to establish the exact role of these organisms in the pathogenesis of ReA.
Insights
Bacterial DNA was found in 40% of reactive arthritis (ReA) patients, suggesting a potential role in the disease. Further research is needed to confirm the exact involvement of these bacteria in ReA pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a systemic inflammatory condition triggered by infection in genetically susceptible individuals.
- The precise role of bacterial infections in the etiology of ReA remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of bacterial DNA in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) of patients with ReA.
- To explore the potential link between detected bacterial DNA and clinical manifestations of ReA.
Main Methods:
- PBMCs were isolated from 40 ReA patients and 10 healthy controls.
- Bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) was detected using PCR amplification, followed by DNA sequencing and database analysis.
- Clinical, laboratory, and radiological assessments were performed for all participants.
Main Results:
- Bacterial DNA was detected in 40% of ReA patients and 30% of healthy controls.
- No significant difference in arthritis symptoms was observed between PCR-positive and PCR-negative ReA patients, except in PCR-positive females with gynecological infections.
- Sequencing revealed high similarity to both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria.
Conclusions:
- The study detected bacterial DNA in ReA patients, indicating a potential association.
- Further research is required to elucidate the specific role of identified bacterial organisms in the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis.
