Azzouz D, et al. - In this cross-sectional discovery cohort, blood and fecal samples from 61 females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined to assess the relationship of candidate pathobiont(s) with host immunity. Authors observed an overall 5-fold higher representation of Ruminococcus gnavus (RG) of the Lachnospiraceae family in subjects with SLE. They found a linear relation of anti-RG antibodies with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and antinative DNA levels, but an inverse correlation with C3 and C4. They detected highest levels of serum anti-RG strain-restricted antibodies in candidates with active nephritis (including Class III and IV). Hence, they suggested the contribution of specific strains of gut commensal to the immune pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.