A search for the presence of Klebsiella-Enterobacter spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica in urine and faeces of 63 patients with ankylosing spondylitis was conducted because these microorganisms have been demonstrated to cross-react immunologically with HL-A B27 positive lymphocytes. The patients were graded into three groups on the basis of disease activity. Klebsiella spp. were found in the faeces of 13 (93%) of the 14 patients with 'active' disease, 10 (48%) of the 21 patients with 'probably active' disease and in one (4%) of the 28 patients with 'inactive' disease. Positive cultures were also obtained in 47 (38%) of 124 controls. It is suggested that the presence of Klebsiella spp. in faecal cultures may be associated with 'active' disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.