Re: News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure Linked To DRB1 Gene

[Guest guest]

This former cat owner finds this very interesting, a.

----- Original Message -----

From: " a " <aA@...>

<egroups>

Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 1:41 PM

Subject: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure Linked To

DRB1 Gene

> Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure Linked To DRB1 Gene

>

>

> 12/28/2000

> By Rose

>

>

> Prior close exposure to cats in genetically susceptible subjects can lead

to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a recent report

from Australia.

>

> Researchers in the rheumatology departments.of Hospitals in Adelaide and

Melbourne designed a study to determine if the presence of HLA-DRB1 alleles

bearing the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility motif influenced risk

for the disease, following prior pet exposure.

>

> This study followed a previous case control study indicating the risk

between pet exposure and RA development. This acknowledged the potential for

pets to become reservoirs for microbial agents, capable of stimulating

chronic inflammation, under immunogenetic influence, in susceptible

subjects.

>

> Participants included all available patients with RA and their case

controls who had formed part of the previous epidemiological study. All

provided blood samples.

>

> Sequence analysis of oligonucleotides determined the DR and DQ genotypes,

which were amplified by polymerase chain reactions from the DRB1 and DQB1

genes.

>

> Subjects were then segregated , according to previously determined pet

exposure and genotype, for statistical analysis.

> The odds ratio (OR) for pre-pubertal exposure to cats and RA in available

subjects irrespective of DRB1 genotype was 4.2. The OR between prior

exposure to cats and RA in subjects carrying the RA susceptibility genotype

DRB1 *0401 and *0404 was 5.8 and >24, respectively.

>

> There was no remarkable association seen between RA and pet exposure in

patients who were selected according to other genotypes.

>

> There was a slightly stronger association between RA and the recognized

HLA-DR susceptibility motif in subjects with a history of an intimate cat

exposure, compared with subjects with no previous close contact.

>

> Researchers concluded that the findings suggested an interaction between

an environmental agent associated with pet cats and certain RA

susceptibility-conferring DR genotypes. The risk for RA associated with

intimate cat exposure also was significant in subjects with DRB1 *1501. This

is a genotype not otherwise associated with RA but shares with known RA

susceptibility-bearing alleles, the presence of an electropositive pocket

(Pocket 4) in the DR peptide binding groove.

>

>

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/5555F262DC9CD4CD852569B300712B

D7?OpenDocument & c= & count=10 & id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249

[Guest guest]

I have only " owned " Clancy for 5 years and Riley for 5

months- I have had RA for over 20 years- with no

intimate cat exposure. I always owned cocker spaniels.I

won't fight the stats I guess - but have known a great

many cat owners- and noone but me with RA. Oh well...

Clancy and Riley are staying.

[Guest guest]

Ah, , but maybe all of those unaffected owners didn't have the right

genes.

----- Original Message -----

From: <k.j.choate@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 8:46 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure

Linked To DRB1 Gene

> I have only " owned " Clancy for 5 years and Riley for 5

> months- I have had RA for over 20 years- with no

> intimate cat exposure. I always owned cocker spaniels.I

> won't fight the stats I guess - but have known a great

> many cat owners- and noone but me with RA. Oh well...

> Clancy and Riley are staying.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, ! Long time, no hear.

Don't worry, I don't think you have to consider giving up your furbabies.

Thirty four years is a lot of exposure. Maybe it takes years or repeated

assaults before the symptoms emerge. Again, I think the genes have to be

there and that sex hormones factor into the equation, too.

Hope you are feeling well. Happy New Year!

----- Original Message -----

From: " " <dat2352@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 1:30 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure

Linked To DRB1 Gene

> Hey all,

> I must admit that I didn't even read the original post about cats and RA

> because I have no intention of giving up my cats or dogs or goats or any

> other of my furkids. I have had RA for 2 years and cats for 34 years so

> can't see a correlation at all in my life!

>

> Temple

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I must admit that I didn't even read the original post about cats and RA

because I have no intention of giving up my cats or dogs or goats or any

other of my furkids. I have had RA for 2 years and cats for 34 years so

can't see a correlation at all in my life!

Temple

Kuddle Kritters Farm

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html

http://www/homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html

[Guest guest]

Gee, -

I'm glad you posted. I was about to post a how is

and where is message. How was your holiday? Did I

tell you how much I enjoyed your family site!! It was so

festive! You are very talented.

[Guest guest]

,

Amen!!!

How are you feeling? Have you noticed any improvement after your Remicade

infusion? I'm going to say a prayer for you on candle day.

Taking care of a dairy farm is a lot of work, and you need to feel good!

It is very good for children to be involved in 4-H and showing animals. I

showed a few of my goats, but was more active with the sheep and rabbits.

If our animals alone caused us to get RA, it wouldn't be such a rare

disease.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <dat2352@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 2:30 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure

Linked To DRB1 Gene

> Hey all,

> I must admit that I didn't even read the original post about cats and RA

> because I have no intention of giving up my cats or dogs or goats or any

> other of my furkids. I have had RA for 2 years and cats for 34 years so

> can't see a correlation at all in my life!

>

> Temple

> Kuddle Kritters Farm

> 3 Fox Haven Way

> Chelmsford, MA 01824

>

> dat2352@...

> http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html

> http://www/homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html

>

>

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you, my Christmas was nice but exhausting. We a small group for

Christmas-just 3 of our 5 children and a friend from Church but the next day

my other daughter arrived for her 2 days off and my parents. My oldest son

had to work and couldn't come home. Then my youngest daughter's birthday is

Dec 27th. We have been busy and I am very tired. I have my 3rd remicade

infusion on Tuesday. I am happy with the results but not a miracle cure but

improvement. I have a major surgery-abdominal hernia repair scheduled for

1/18-not looking forward to that-6th abdominal in 6 years and a craniotomy!

This one is to put back gortex that was infected and removed in June. Right

now I look about 6 months pregnant on my left side. Gotta laugh or else I

might cry! Thanks for the comments on my sites-will switch to Valentine's

soon-not much graphics available for New Year's

Temple

Kuddle Kritters Farm

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html

http://www/homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html

----- Original Message -----

From: <k.j.choate@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 11:40 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure

Linked To DRB1 Gene

> Gee, -

>

> I'm glad you posted. I was about to post a how is

> and where is message. How was your holiday? Did I

> tell you how much I enjoyed your family site!! It was so

> festive! You are very talented.

>

>

>

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

,

I hope your infusion tomorrow gives you continued improvement.

Hernia surgery doesn't sound like to much fun. It would be nice if the

Remicade at least took away your RA pain so you don't have both to deal

with.

a

----- Original Message -----

From: <dat2352@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2000 8:53 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] News - Rheumatoid Arthritis And Cat Exposure

Linked To DRB1 Gene

> ,

> Thank you, my Christmas was nice but exhausting. We a small group for

> Christmas-just 3 of our 5 children and a friend from Church but the next

day

> my other daughter arrived for her 2 days off and my parents. My oldest

son

> had to work and couldn't come home. Then my youngest daughter's birthday

is

> Dec 27th. We have been busy and I am very tired. I have my 3rd remicade

> infusion on Tuesday. I am happy with the results but not a miracle cure

but

> improvement. I have a major surgery-abdominal hernia repair scheduled for

> 1/18-not looking forward to that-6th abdominal in 6 years and a

craniotomy!

> This one is to put back gortex that was infected and removed in June.

Right

> now I look about 6 months pregnant on my left side. Gotta laugh or else I

> might cry! Thanks for the comments on my sites-will switch to Valentine's

> soon-not much graphics available for New Year's

>

> Temple

> Kuddle Kritters Farm

> 3 Fox Haven Way

> Chelmsford, MA 01824

[Guest guest]

-

Good luck with the infusion. My insurance doesn't cover

remicade but am doing reasonably well on my mix -

prednisone, MTX and plaquenil. Look forward to seeing

your Valentine's Day creativity. I don't blame you for

worrying about the hernia surgery - any abdominal

surgery. I had my 6 week check up last Friday for the

hysterectomy and am healing very well I am told. I had

to see a " substitute " doc- Dr. Su. He seemed very

knowledgeable but SOOO young. I told my mom it was like

seeing an Oriental Doogie Howser. I have had a stubborn

bladder infection so he has given me the go ahead to

return to work on Wednesday rather than tomorrow. He

thought a 3 day work week while I was on an anti-biotic

was enough. I hope I can keep up with this group as well

when I am back to work. Never fear I have January 18

marked down for prayer for your surgery. I am grateful

for the prayers from you and others on this list when I

had my surgery.

Hugs,