RESEARCH - Fecal microbiota in early RA

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J Rheumatol. 2008 Jun 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Fecal Microbiota in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Vaahtovuo J, Munukka E, Korkeamäki M, Luukkainen R, Toivanen P.

From CyFlo Ltd., Turku; Department of Rheumatology, Satakunta Central

Hospital, Rauma; and Department of Medical Microbiology, Turku

University, Turku, Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the composition of intestinal microbiota of

patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or fibromyalgia (FM),

fecal samples were collected from 51 patients with RA and 50 with FM.

METHODS: RA patients fulfilled the RA criteria of the American College

of Rheumatology, and duration of their disease was </= 6 months. Only

nonhospitalized patients from outpatient care were included. Patients

having extreme diets or previous disease modifying antirheumatic drug

or glucocorticoid medication were excluded, as were those taking

antibiotics or having gastroenteritis for at least 2 months prior to

sampling. Fecal bacterial composition was analyzed with a method based

on flow cytometry, 16S rRNA hybridization, and DNA-staining. A set of

8 oligonucleotide probes was used. RESULTS: In comparison to patients

with FM, the RA patients had significantly less bifidobacteria and

bacteria of the Bacteroides-Porphyromonas-Prevotella group,

Bacteroides fragilis subgroup, and Eubacterium rectale - Clostridium

coccoides group. Results from the 8 probes showed a significant

overall difference between the 2 patient groups, indicating widespread

microbial differences. CONCLUSION: These findings support the

hypothesis that intestinal microbes participate in the

etiopathogenesis of RA.

PMID: 18528968

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18528968

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