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Correlation between anti-Proteus antibodies and isolation rates of P. mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis
C Wilson1, A Thakore, D Isenberg
1Immunology Section, King's College, London, UK.
Abstract:
In a survey of 89 RA patients, carried out under code, Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the urine of 63% (47/75) of female (P < 0.001) and 50% (7/14) of male patients (P < 0.001), compared to a frequency of isolation in healthy women of 32% (38/119) and 11% (13/115) in healthy men. There was no significant difference in isolation rates between 37 non-RA patients and healthy controls. Sera from 20 patients with RA and 20 healthy controls were tested against P. mirabilis and Escherichia coli by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies against P. mirabilis but not to E. coli were significantly higher in the RA patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between high anti-Proteus antibody levels in serum samples and the number of Proteus colony-forming units obtained from urine specimens of the 20 RA patients (r = +0.714, P < 0.001). These results support the suggestion of an aetiopathogenic role for P. mirabilis in RA.
Insights
Proteus mirabilis bacteria were found more frequently in the urine of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Higher antibodies against P. mirabilis in RA patients suggest a potential role in the disease
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- The etiology of RA remains incompletely understood.
- Infectious agents have been implicated in RA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of Proteus mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To compare the prevalence of P. mirabilis in RA patients versus healthy individuals.
- To assess immune responses to P. mirabilis in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples from 89 RA patients and controls were cultured for P. mirabilis.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure antibodies against P. mirabilis and E. coli.
- Correlation analysis was performed between antibody levels and bacterial colony counts.
Main Results:
- P. mirabilis was isolated significantly more often from RA patients' urine compared to healthy controls.
- RA patients exhibited significantly higher antibody levels against P. mirabilis than healthy controls.
- A positive correlation was observed between anti-P. mirabilis antibody titers and urinary P. mirabilis load in RA patients.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential etiological role for P. mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis.
- P. mirabilis infection may trigger or exacerbate RA in susceptible individuals.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.