Exploring the association between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection and rheumatoid arthritis:
Negar Asgari1, Ezzat Allah Ghaemi1, Samaneh Tavasoli2
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Background:
Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) is a bacterium known to cause Johne's disease in ruminants and has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between MAP infection and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Methods:
A total of 119 patients with RA and 120 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in the study. The participants were outpatient attendees at a rheumatology specialist's clinic, selected according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for RA. Their serum samples were analyzed for antibodies against two peptides, MAP_402718-32 and IRF5424-434, using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
A significant difference was found in the levels of anti-MAP antibodies between RA patients and HCs. RA patients were more likely to have anti-MAP_402718-32 antibodies (44.5%) vs. 10.8% in HCs. Among RA patients, treatment group patients had more antibodies (51.6%) against MAP_402718-32 than no-treatment group patients (36.4%), but this difference was not statistically significant. The antigen IRF5424-434 showed the highest antibody seroreactivity, being present in a higher percentage of RA patients (60.5%) compared to HCs (8.3%). This difference was statistically significant. There was a moderate correlation between IRF5424-434 and its MAP_402718-32 homolog.
Conclusions:
The study findings suggest that anti-MAP antibodies are more prevalent in RA patients compared to healthy controls, potentially implicating MAP in the development of RA. The strong immunological response to the antigen IRF5424-434 warrants further investigation. Although the difference in antibody levels between previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed RA patients was not statistically significant, the overall higher prevalence of these antibodies in the RA cohort supports the hypothesis of MAP's involvement.
Insights
This study found higher levels of antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients compared to healthy individuals. These findings suggest a potential link between MAP infection and the development of RA.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) is linked to Johne's disease in ruminants and implicated in autoimmune conditions.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between MAP infection and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
- To determine if antibodies against specific MAP peptides are more prevalent in RA patients than in healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 119 RA patients and 120 healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed.
- Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies against MAP_402718-32 and IRF5424-434 peptides.
- Participants were selected based on the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for RA.
Main Results:
- RA patients showed significantly higher prevalence of anti-MAP_402718-32 antibodies (44.5%) compared to HCs (10.8%).
- A significantly higher percentage of RA patients (60.5%) had antibodies against IRF5424-434 compared to HCs (8.3%).
- A moderate correlation was observed between IRF5424-434 and its MAP_402718-32 homolog.
Conclusions:
- The increased prevalence of anti-MAP antibodies in RA patients suggests a potential role for MAP in RA development.
- The strong immune response to IRF5424-434 warrants further investigation into its role in RA pathogenesis.
- Findings support the hypothesis of MAP involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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