Summary
The presence of specific anti-Proteus antibodies in active, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, has been demonstrated by four different techniques: indirect bacterial agglutination, ELISA, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, anti-HLA-DR4 tissue typing sera have been shown to bind to Proteus microorganisms, thereby suggesting some molecular similarity or cross-reactivity between bacteria and HLA antigens. The concept is proposed that Proteus-reactive arthritis occurs during active phases of RA and tissue damage is mediated through immunological activity involving HLA antigens.
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Ebringer, A., Khalafpour, S. & Wilson, C. Rheumatoid arthritis and proteus: a possible aetiological association. Rheumatol Int 9, 223–228 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271885
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271885