1. FALSE: Numerous groups (Ebringer included) have found the association, with increased levels of Klebsiella in the stool, raised anti-bodies to Klebsiella found ONLY when AS is active. There is only one group that failed to find the association on anti-klebsiella antibodies and they did not determine the disease activity of the AS patienst (same with 2 groups that faield to find it in the stool). Ebrigner and all the groups that have found the association all made sure the pateitns had raised ESR/CRP, in fact hey also tested AS patietns with low ESR/CRP(ie non active AS) and they do not show raised anti-bodies.
2.FALSE: All the papers published are in peer review scientific journals, what is true is that high quality studies on the effectivenes of the diet have not been done. This is becuase no one will fund it. Anti-TNF drugs are very very profitable. Ebringer has treated over 450 patietns at the AS clinic in London (until its funding was cut), he reports that over half of these no longer require medication. (Note his diet is far less strict the the carol sinclair version).
Points 3-6 have been covered already
meds treat the symptoms, the diet treats the cause (Klebsiella)
good reading is:
Ankylosing Spondylitis is linked to Klebsiella: The evidence Clin Rheumatol 26:858-864 2007 Ebringer A et al.
Akylosing spondylitis, HLA B27 and Klebsiella - An overview: Proposal for early diagnosis and treatment. Current Rheumatology reviews 2006, 2, 55-68. Ebringer A et al.
Ankylosing Spondylitis and diet: Ebringer and Wilson In: Food allergy adn intolerance 2nd Ed; Eds Brostoff and Challacombe
Good luck
Simon
PS I have all the literature, if you are in UK I can mail it to you
bilco101@yahoo.co.uk
