Periodontal bacteria and the rheumatoid arthritis-related antigen RA-A47: the cross-reactivity potential

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to evaluate the mechanisms that underlie the association between periodontal pathogens and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent findings This review focuses on the cross-reactivity hypothesis as a mechanism that might contribute to explain the pathologic evolution of periodontal infections from periodontitis to RA. The scientific rationale is that immune reactions following infection by periodontal...