[Antibodies to Klebsiella O-antigens in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropaties].

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of seronegative spondyloarthropathies is still unknown. A microbial etiology has been suggested. The aim of the study was to analyze the antibodies against Klebsiella O-antigens in serum of patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies. METHODS: 30 patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies, 20 with rheumatoid arthritis and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The serum antibodies against Klebsiella O1 and O3 antigens were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In serum of patients with seronegative spondyloarthropaties the antibodies against Klebsiella antigen O1 and O3 occur less frequently (6.67%) than in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (35%) and that in serum of healthy subjects (40%). CONCLUSIONS: The results do not confirm the role of LPS in the pathogenesis of seronegative spondyloarthropthies, but on the other hand we could not exclude the concept that it may play an important role.