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Arthritis of rats and mice: implications for man
Abstract:
Numerous attempts to implicate mycoplasmas in rheumatoid arthritis of man have resulted in complete failures or inconsistent results. The striking similarity of rheumatoid arthritis to a number of chronic mycoplasmal arthritides in animals, and new information on the pathophysiology of mycoplasmas and their complex interplay with the immunological apparatus of the host, suggest that the search for mycoplasmas in human disease should not be abandoned. Furthermore, increasing knowledge of mycoplasmal arthritis in animals emphasizes possible serious deficiencies of past studies in man.
Insights
Despite past failures, mycoplasmas may still be involved in human rheumatoid arthritis. New insights into mycoplasma pathophysiology and animal models suggest further investigation is warranted for this chronic inflammatory joint disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease with an unknown etiology.
- Previous studies attempting to link mycoplasmas to human RA have yielded inconclusive or negative results.
- Mycoplasmal arthritis in animal models shares similarities with human RA, prompting re-evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the potential role of mycoplasmas in the pathogenesis of human rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight the need for continued research given new understanding of mycoplasma-host interactions.
- To address potential shortcomings in previous investigations of mycoplasmas in human RA.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mycoplasmal arthritis in animals and human RA.
- Analysis of current knowledge regarding mycoplasma pathophysiology and host immune responses.
- Critical evaluation of methodologies used in prior human RA and mycoplasma studies.
Main Results:
- Previous attempts to implicate mycoplasmas in human RA have been largely unsuccessful.
- Significant parallels exist between animal mycoplasmal arthritis and human RA.
- Advances in understanding mycoplasma-host immunology offer new perspectives.
Conclusions:
- The search for mycoplasmas as a causative agent or contributor to human rheumatoid arthritis should be reconsidered.
- Further research is essential, informed by recent findings in veterinary mycoplasmal arthritis and host immunology.
- Past study deficiencies may have contributed to the failure to establish a link between mycoplasmas and human RA.