FECAL FLORA IN SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY

Enterobacteria, in particular Klebsiella spp., have been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. A comprehensive exam ination of the faecal flora of 82 patients with ankylosing spondylitis , either primary (67), or in association with inflammatory bowel disea se (4), reactive arthritis (6) or psoriatic arthritis (5), was perform ed and compared with that of a control population (36) of healthy indi viduals. The range of flora identified was similar in both populations and there was no increased isolation rate of Klebsiella or other prop osed arthritogenic organism in those with spondyloarthropathy. In thos e patients in whom Klebsiella was identified, its presence was not rel ated to disease activity, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reac tive protein.