Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria from Proteus mirabilis may reduce the potential risk of rheumatoid arthritis development and progression

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic and arthritic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints which can lead to the destruction of the periarticular tissue, thus causing chronic pain, joint deformities and consequently disability and deterioration of the quality of life. During the last decades, scientific data suggested that Proteus spp. plays a key role in the etiopathogenesis of RA. Current guidelines on asymptomatic bacteriuria suggest treating only patients that will benefit from treatment such as pregnant women undergoing urologic procedures in which mucosal bleeding is expected and patients during the first month following renal transplantation. Given the involvement of Proteus on RA pathophysiology, treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria from Proteus mirabilis may reduce the potential risk of RA development and progression. Here, we review the available literature regarding the association between RA and UTI caused by Proteus spp., and discuss the abovementioned implications.