A
strain of bacteria commonly found in milk and beef may be a trigger for
developing rheumatoid arthritis in people who are genetically at risk,
according to a new study.
A
team of UCF College of Medicine researchers has discovered a link between
rheumatoid arthritis and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, known
as MAP, bacteria found in about half the cows in the United States. The
bacteria can be spread to humans through the consumption of infected milk, beef
and produce fertilized by cow manure.
About
1.3 million adults in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis -- an autoimmune and
inflammatory disease that causes the immune system to attack a person's joints,
muscles, bones and organs. Patients suffer from pain and deformities mostly in
the hands and feet. It can occur at any age but the most common onset is
between 40 and 60 years old and is three times more prevalent in women.
Although
case studies have reported that some RA patients suffer from Crohn's disease
and vice versa, the researchers say a national study needs to investigate the
incidence of the two diseases in the same patients.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle