Elsevier

Microbes and Infection

Volume 2, Issue 12, October 2000, Pages 1489-1496
Microbes and Infection

Review
Molecular mimicry between HLA-DR alleles associated with rheumatoid arthritis and Proteus mirabilis as the aetiological basis for autoimmunity

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Abstract

Molecular mimicry is one of the pathological mechanisms proposed to explain the association between microorganisms and autoimmune diseases. This review deals with the association between bacteria and rheumatic diseases with a special emphasis on rheumatoid arthritis where upper urinary tract infection by Proteus mirabilis is the possible cause of this severe, arthritic condition. Prospective trials involving anti-Proteus therapy should be carried out.

Keywords

molecular mimicry
Proteus
rheumatoid arthritis

Cited by (0)

1

King’s College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Division of Life Sciences, Infection and Immunity Group, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 8WA, UK