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Antibiotic sensitivity and proticine typing of Proteus mirabilis strains associated with rheumatoid arthritis
C Wilson1, B W Senior, H Tiwana
1Division of Life Sciences, King's College, London, UK.
Abstract:
Urinary isolates of Proteus mirabilis, obtained from 49 RA patients and 44 healthy controls, were tested for susceptibility to antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. In addition, P. mirabilis isolates were also tested for proticine production and sensitivity (p/s) typing by the inhibition of growth of each test isolate against 13 reference strains of P. mirabilis. The P. mirabilis isolates from both RA patients and healthy controls were highly susceptible to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim, but less to minocycline. The urine of RA patients contained fewer different types of P. mirabilis strains than those isolated from healthy controls. All of the strains found in the RA patients were proticine producers (P < 0.001), mostly of proticine 3 (P < 0.005). The presence of such strains provides evidence of a sub-clinical upper urinary tract infection with P. mirabilis in some RA patients. Therapeutic intervention in RA with relevant antibiotics requires evaluation.
Insights
Proteus mirabilis strains in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients showed distinct characteristics compared to healthy controls. These RA-associated strains were primarily proticine producers, suggesting a potential sub-clinical urinary tract infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a common urinary pathogen.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- The role of urinary tract infections in RA is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of Proteus mirabilis urinary isolates from RA patients.
- To compare these isolates with those from healthy controls.
- To assess the potential link between P. mirabilis and RA.
Main Methods:
- Disc diffusion method for antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- Proticine production and sensitivity (p/s) typing.
- Comparison of P. mirabilis strains from 49 RA patients and 44 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- P. mirabilis isolates from both groups were highly susceptible to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim.
- RA patients had fewer types of P. mirabilis strains in their urine compared to controls.
- All P. mirabilis strains from RA patients were proticine producers, predominantly proticine 3.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a sub-clinical upper urinary tract infection with P. mirabilis in some RA patients.
- Proticine production by P. mirabilis strains is associated with RA.
- Further evaluation of antibiotic therapy for RA patients with P. mirabilis is warranted.
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