SERUM IGA ANTI-KLEBSIELLA ANTIBODIES IN ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS PATIENTS FROM CATALONIA

IgA antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae were measured by immunofl uorescence in 84 Catalan patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 41 patients with non-inflammatory arthropathies (NIA) and 22 patients wi th rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with AS showed higher levels of anti-klebsiella IgA antibodies (IgA-Kp) than NIA and RA patients (4.7 +/- 1.6 U vs 3.7 +/- 1.5 U and 3.1 +/- 1.4 U respectively, p = 0.001) . In AS patients a significant correlation between IgA-Kp and levels o f C-reactive protein was observed. Although no clear correlation was f ound between IgA anti-klebsiella and total serum IgA levels, a signifi cant correlation between IgA anti-klebsiella and serum levels of secre tory IgA was detected (r: 0.43, p = 0.003). In conclusion, some patien ts with AS disclosed raised levels of Klebsiella antibodies in sera an d this is related to an increase of secretory IgA level. Analysis abou t the relationship between response to klebsiella and the presence of gut inflammation in AS patients could be of interest.