Nonetheless, these findings are internally consistent (reduced Th17 cell frequency, reduced IL-17A-regulated AMP expression, reduced pathogen-induced IL-17A production) and recapitulate the characteristic clinical phenotype of RA, where overt susceptibility to OPC is rarely seen (preserved salivary Candida killing, minimally elevated oral Candida colonization rates). Here, IL17A is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.