Chronic exposure to even small amounts of staph bacteria could be a risk factor for the inflammatory disease lupus. Mayo Clinic researchers found that mice exposed to low doses of a protein found in staph developed a lupus-like disease, with kidney disease and autoantibodies like those found in the blood of lupus patients.
Mayo Clinic rheumatologist and study co-author Vaidehi Chowdhary, M.D., says, “We think this protein could be an important clue to what may cause or exacerbate lupus in certain genetically predisposed patients. Our hope is to confirm these findings in lupus patients and hopefully prevent flares.”
