The Lupus Implications of Staph Infections

Chronic exposure to even small amounts of staph bacteria could be a risk factor for the chronic inflammatory disease lupus, Mayo Clinic research shows.  Staph, short for Staphyloccus aureus, is a germ commonly found on the skin or in the nose, sometimes causing infections.  In the Mayo study, mice were exposed to low doses of a protein found in staph and developed a lupus-like disease, with kidney disease and autoantibodies like those found in the blood of lupus patients.  The findings are published online this month in the Journal of Immunology.

Research on Lupus  

The next step is to study lupus patients to see if the staph protein in question plays a similar role in humans. "We think this protein could be an important clue to what may cause or exacerbate lupus in certain genetically predisposed patients," Dr. Vaidehi Chowdhary, co-author, says.  "Our hope is to confirm these findings in lupus patients and hopefully prevent flares."  In the mice studied, a staph protein activated white blood cells, leading to an inflammatory illness mirroring lupus.

Research on people has shown that carrying staph bacteria is linked to autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, Kawasaki disease and granulomatosis with polyangilitis.  Since the cause of lupus is still unknown, the discovery of the staph protein's role is exciting, Dr. Chowdhary says.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309