According to MedlinePlus, ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine that involves swelling between the backbones and joints between the spine and the pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. Symptoms of this disease include back pain and stiffness that typically begins in early adulthood. Treatments range from oral medication to surgery, depending of the progression of the disease.
Genetics
MayoClinic.com states that ankylosing spondylitis has no specific cause; however, researchers have discovered a strong genetic link: people who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at an increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. Thus, if a person has a parent or other relative with ankylosing spondylitis, chances are increased that he may also develop it.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the activation of the body's immune system. In normal individuals, inflammation can trigger activation of the HLA-B27 gene, which would lead to the development of ankylosing spondylitis. Once the HLA-B27 gene is activated, high levels of inflammation can cause new bone formation in the spine, according to MayoClinic.com. As new bone forms, it can fuse together with existing bone in the spine and pelvis, which results in bone fusion. This can cause significant pain and reduce the flexibility of the spine and pelvis. Furthermore, bone fusion can affect the rib cage, which can cause severe difficulties with breathing as the disease progresses.
Bacterial Infection
Spondylitis.org states that a bacterial infection in a patient with the HLA-B27 gene can trigger the onset of anklylosing spondylitis. This occurs because a bacterial infection can cause systemic inflammation in the body. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system may continue to cause inflammation in the body even after the bacterial infection has been controlled. Thus, patients with HLA-B27 genes and frequent bacterial infections may be at the highest risk.
