When this communication falters, a state known as dysbiosis arises, characterized by loss of microbial diversity and overgrowth of inflammatory species. This imbalance disturbs mucosal tolerance, alters cytokine profiles, and promotes systemic immune activation—precisely the type of dysregulation we recognize in autoimmune diseases.
Microbiome Alterations in Rheumatologic Diseases
A growing body of research links specific microbial patterns to rheumatologic conditions. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the presence of Prevotella copri has been associated with early disease onset, suggesting that microbial antigens may prime autoreactive immune responses. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dysbiosis contributes to loss of tolerance through molecular mimicry and impaired clearance of apoptotic cells. Similarly, in ankylosing spondylitis, changes in intestinal flora appear to amplify inflammation along the gut-joint axis, emphasizing how intimately connected these systems are.
