Related Experiment Videos

Association between reactive arthritis and antecedent infection with Shigella flexneri carrying a 2-Md plasmid and

H Stieglitz1, P Lipsky

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8884.

Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1993
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Shigella flexneri strains causing enteric infection and reactive arthritis (ReA) carry the pHS-2 plasmid. This plasmid may play a role in the development of ReA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a form of inflammatory arthritis.
  • Shigella flexneri is a bacterial pathogen causing enteric infections.
  • Certain bacterial components may trigger autoimmune responses like ReA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of the 2-Md plasmid, pHS-2, in Shigella flexneri strains associated with reactive arthritis.
  • To determine if pHS-2 encodes an HLA-B27 mimetic epitope, potentially linking bacterial infection to autoimmune disease.

Main Methods:

  • Plasmid DNA was extracted from Shigella isolates.
  • DNA-DNA hybridization was used to assess genetic relatedness.
  • Restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing were performed for detailed plasmid characterization.

Main Results:

  • Shigella flexneri strains linked to reactive arthritis were found to harbor a 2-Md plasmid.
  • This plasmid demonstrated homology to the known pHS-2 plasmid.
  • The presence of pHS-2 in these strains suggests a conserved genetic element.

Conclusions:

  • The 2-Md plasmid, pHS-2, is present in additional Shigella strains associated with reactive arthritis.
  • This finding highlights the potential significance of pHS-2 in the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the role of pHS-2 in the etiology of ReA.

Related Concept Videos