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Published on: May 21, 2015
Identification of Prevotella Oralis as a possible target antigen in children with Enthesitis related arthritis
Matthew L Stoll1, L Wayne Duck2, Margaret H Chang3
1University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Departments of Pediatrics, 1601 4(th) Ave South Suite G10, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
Insights
Children with enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) may have increased IgA antibodies against the intestinal bacterium Prevotella oralis. Further research is needed to understand the significance of this finding in ERA patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Patients with Crohn's disease exhibit antibodies to intestinal bacteria.
- Data on antibodies to intestinal organisms in spondyloarthritis are inconsistent.
- Enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) is a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of antibodies against intestinal bacteria in children with ERA.
- To compare antibody levels in ERA patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of pediatric ERA patients and healthy controls across three study sites.
- Serum analysis using a nitrocellulose array.
- Incubation with labeled antibodies to human IgA and IgG.
Main Results:
- ERA patients showed significantly higher IgA antibody levels against Prevotella oralis compared to controls at one site (p=0.007).
- Antibody levels against other selected bacteria were similar between groups.
- These findings were partially validated at a second site but not a third.
Conclusions:
- Children with ERA may produce elevated IgA antibodies targeting Prevotella oralis.
- The clinical significance of increased IgA antibodies against P. oralis in ERA warrants further investigation.
Objectives:
Patients with Crohn's disease often produce antibodies against flagellated intestinal bacteria. There are mixed data as to whether such antibodies are present in patients with spondyloarthritis. Our objectives were to evaluate for the presence of antibodies against intestinal organisms in children with enthesitis related arthritis (ERA).
Methods:
Children with ERA and healthy controls were recruited at three sites. Sera were plated on a nitrocellulose array and incubated with labelled antibodies to human IgA and IgG.
Results:
At UAB, patients and controls had similar antibody levels against the majority of the bacteria selected, with the exception of increased IgA antibodies among ERA patients against Prevotella oralis (1231 [IQR 750, 2566] versus 706 [IQR 428, 1106], p = .007.) These findings were partially validated at a second but not at a third site.
Conclusions:
ERA patients may produce increased IgA antibodies against P. oralis. The possible significance of this finding bears further exploration.
