Ankylosing Spondylitis, Neurologic Perspective (cont.)
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AS Neurologic Causes
- About 90-95% of persons with AS have the human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) antigen, but not everyone who has that antigen develops AS.
- Presumably, a fairly benign bacterium or virus can be antigenically similar to human ligaments. This speculation is more applicable to spondylitis associated with reactive arthritis (Reiter's disease) than AS.
- In a genetically susceptible individual, a mild infection may stimulate an abnormal immune response, causing the development of AS. Again, this speculation is more applicable to spondylitis associated with reactive arthritis (Reiter's disease) than AS.
Next: AS Neurologic Symptoms »
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Ankylosing Spondylitis »
Spondyloarthritis or spondyloarthropathy refers to a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the joints, tendon and ligament attachments, and sometimes nonskeletal structures.
