Researchers at the University of Louisville have found that the very same bacteria that triggers gum disease creates a special enzyme which might raise an individual's chance of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis.
The enzyme reacts with the residue of certain proteins. The body recognizes these proteins as intruders, leading to an immune attack.
Previous studies have indicated that gum disease is at least two times more prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
The new study, which was conducted on mice, is published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
