Hi Kat,
Quote:

just because one author on a study has made shown a bias does not mean that all of them do


You're right. Wished you didn't used the following metaphore(s) though, metaphores always blurr a discussion.

You're right in that is does not follow from it. Chances are however that if two authors publish 8 articles in three years together, all on different aspect of Ankylosing Spondylitis that they do share the same opinion on other closely related AS matters. The main reason however why I mentioned the "junk science" example is that having an agenda as you call it is not something that is exclusive for these forums.

My real problem with the article is that it has an highly improbable outcome. To show this I did a search on pubmed with three components: Antibody, Klebsiella and Ankylosing. For the last fifteen years I counted the researchers and research groups that were able to find an immune response to klebsiella in AS patients and those who didn't. (someone has to do the dirty job some time)
I got 59 results from which I skipped 9 because they were reviews or measured antibody response in faeces. From the remaining 50 there were 44 researches able to detect a higher immune response and 6 not. From those 6 there were three from the Feltkamp Sprenkels group which I discussed above and who later do were able to detect the immune response when they learned how to do it properly. So actually in the last 15 years there are only two researches from 1992 from two research groups that have a comparable outcome to the one you cited and 10 research groups and 44 researches that have another outcome.

I sm not objective and the above method is very crude but I do try as this whole thread shows to be as objective as possible. Otherwise the Evelyn's and JCwinny's and even Jeanna's of this site would wash my ears.

The above is by the way not to be interpreted as if the molecular mimicry theory that some have derived from it has the same amount of approval in scientific literature. Certainly not. The reaction to Klebsiella could for instance also be a side effect to an impaired immune reaction in the gut and some authors have suggested that. If you read my other reactions in this thread you will also note that to me the cause of AS is also unknown. But if you want to know my agenda it is this:

First come the three points I mentioned in my reaction to Jeanna.
Secondly I believe in a strong role for the immune system of the gut and gut inflammation as the driving force for AS. That inflammation is normally subclinical so you or me or even the doctor won't notice it unless specific research is done.
Thirdly I will react when someone says there is no proof for a role for Klebsiella. As my score list above shows there is ample evidence for a role for Klebsiella be it possibly along the sideline.

Up to know all working remedies against AS are in line with the above. Sulfasalazine, diet but especially TNF alpha inhibition which for instance works as good for Crohn's as for AS.
I could show the weak points in the conclusions of the Inman research and I will if someone would ask that. For now I think this reaction is really more then long enough. Kat please do stretch the leg now and then when reading this and a hug to you too.
Gerard