Salmonella-specific antibodies in reactive arthritis.

The development and persistence of Salmonella-specific serum antibodies of different immunoglobulin classes and subclasses were compared between those who developed reactive arthritis (n = 39) and those who did not (n = 58) after Salmonella infection. Antibodies against lipopolysaccharide and SDS-extract antigen were measured by ELISA. A significant difference was seen between the two patient groups after 4-14 months of follow-up; those with reactive arthritis had higher levels of Salmonella-specific IgM, IgG, and IgA class antibodies than those without arthritis. In the increased antibody response, secretory IgA, IgA1, and IgG2 classes were especially well represented. The persisting antibody response is a common feature in reactive arthritis and supports persistence of the pathogen or its components in the host. The differences observed in antibody profiles between Salmonella- and Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritides suggest certain dissimilarities (e.g., in the location of persisting microbes) in the arthritogenic process due to these two microbes.