Comparison of the faecal microflora of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and controls using molecular methods of analysis

Abstract

By using DGGE, we have demonstrated the complexity and individuality of the human intestinal microflora and shown that this is a confounding factor in determining the possible significance of individual organisms in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis. Nevertheless, we demonstrated a higher prevalence of sulphate-reducing bacteria in the faeces of patients with AS. These organisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We also detected a possible loss of immunological tolerance to autologous Bacteroides isolates in patients with AS.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the bifidobacterial microbiota in the colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease

“…Major dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract are thought to be related to disturbances or aberrancies of the intestinal microbiota [5] . Such aberrancies have been identified in atopic disease [6] , rheumatoid arthritis [7] , juvenile chronic arthritis [8] , ankylosing spondylitis [9] , irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [10,11] , inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [12,13] , colon cancer [14] and diverticulitis patients [15] . Specifically, aberrancies in bifidobacterial microbiota, including decreased numbers or an atypical composition have been identified in some of these diseases including atopic disease [6,16] , IBS [11] or IBD [12,17,18] .…”

The role of the gastrointestinal tract in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases

“…This alteration likely represents an important early alteration of the mucosal innate immune component and intestinal host defense in AS. The comparison of the fecal microflora of patients with AS and with that of the controls using molecular methods of analysis demonstrated a higher prevalence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the feces of the patients [45]. Interestingly, the concentration of serum antibodies reactive with whole cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae or Bacteroides vulgatus was lower in the sera of patients compared with that of controls, and the CD4þ lymphocyte proliferation index, after exposure to homologous Bacteroides cells, was greater in AS than in controls [45].…”

Intestinal Microflora in Children: from Formation Disturbances Prophylaxis to Preventing Non-Infectious Diseases

“…Условно-патогенные микроорганизмы являются инициаторами, поддерживающими воспалительный процесс в суставах у больных с генетической предрасположенностью к рев-матическим болезням. Установлено, в частности, что у пациентов со спондилоартритом Klebsiella pneumoniaе, Bacteroides vulgatus и сульфатирующие бактерии, напри-мер Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, выделенные из кишечника, являются участниками патогенеза данного заболевания [62]. В одном из пилотных исследований, где больные рев-матоидным артритом получали пробиотики в дополнение к стандартному лечению, отмечено улучшение функции суставов по шкале оценки состояния здоровья HAQ [63].…”