Anticentromere antibody — clinical associations

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features of 44 patients with anticentromere antibody (ACA) positivity. We undertook a retrospective review of 44 ACA-positive patients (1 male and 43 females with a mean±SD age of 53.6±12.2 years). There were 25 patients with limited systemic sclerosis, 12 with Raynaud's disease, 2 with Sjögren's syndrome, 2 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 3 with polyarthritis. ACA was more frequently found in patients affected by limited systemic sclerosis with mild visceral involvement and in patients with Raynaud's disease. Moreover, ACA was detected in other connective tissue diseases that were characterized by an atypical autoantibody profile.     

The clinical significance of anti-RNP antibody

67 cases of anti-RNP antibody were reported in different patients with connective tissue disease. The high titre of anti-RNP antibody not only presents in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), but also in individual patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anti-RNP antibody is usually associated with clinical manifestation of raynauds phenomena, myositis, and sclerodactyly. The clinical significance of anti-RNP antibody and the diagnosis about MCTD were discussed in this article.     

TSH receptor antibody determination using the TSH radioreceptor antibody assay in clinical practice

We tested the clinical valency of the TSH-receptor antibody (TBIAb) determination (TRAK assay, Fa. Henning) for the differential diagnostics of various diseases of the thyroid gland (n = 259), particularly of the hyperthyroidism. In 110 out of 114 basedowians TBAIAb could be proved (sensitivity 96%). The specifity to healthy persons (n = 20) was 100%, to the disseminated autonomy (n = 61) 92%. In 43 bland strumas and 22 cases of primary hypothyroidisms no circulating TBIAb were found. Of 40 cases of Basedow's hyperthyroidism the TBIAb titres were pursued during a 12-month methimazol therapy. In these cases was shown that negative antibody titres at the end of the treatment were connected with an essentially lower rate of early relapses than positive ones. Moreover, a highly dosed application of methimazol revealed a more favourable tendency than a low dosed one. From this we conclude that the TBIAb measurement with a commercial kit is a sensitive, sufficiently specific and practicable method for the differential diagnostics of hyperthyroidism and that to a certain degree it allows conclusions on the course of Basedow's disease after thyrostatic long-term therapy.     

抗结核抗体检测方法及临床意义

目的 探讨抗结核抗体检测技术在临床诊断中的应用价值.方法 对1823例确诊肺结核患者、580例非结核病的其他呼吸系统疾病患者及500名健康体检者进行抗酸染色法、酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法、金标法及蛋白芯片法检测,并进行相关统计分析.结果 ELISA法、金标法及蛋白芯片法对肺结核患者的检出敏感性分别为59.1%、62.7%和71.2%,均显著高于抗酸染色(18.4%).蛋白芯片法对抗酸染色阴性肺结核患者的抗结核抗体检出率为67.9%.结论 3种结核抗体检测技术均可用于肺结核的快速辅助诊断.相对于ELISA法及金标法而言,蛋白芯片法敏感性和特异性更高,对痰菌阴性肺结核患者的辅助诊断更具积极意义.     

Antiprothrombin antibody testing: detection and clinical utility

Anticardiolipin antibody (aCL), anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant (LA) are the only laboratory tests considered within the revised criteria for the classification of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Recently, antibodies against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (aPS/PT) have been detected, and these antibodies, rather than antibodies against prothrombin alone, are closely associated with APS and LA. The sensitivity and specificity of aPS/PT for the diagnosis of APS were assessed in a population of patients with a variety of autoimmune disorders. aCL and aPS/PT have similar diagnostic value for APS, therefore aPS/PT should be further explored, not only for research purposes but also as a candidate for one of the laboratory criteria for the classification of the APS.     

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: immunologic and clinical aspects

Antiphospholipid antibody is associated with a clinical syndrome of vascular thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, recurrent fetal loss, and livedo reticularis, whether or not a clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) coexists. A positive antiphospholipid antibody test is defined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (antiphospholipid antibody itself) or by coagulation assay (lupus anticoagulant). These are similar but not identical antibodies. The test for syphilis is less closely related to the preceding two and is less regularly associated with clinical complications. The mechanism of action of either antiphospholipid antibody or lupus anticoagulant is as yet unknown. SLE-induced but not infection-induced antiphospholipid antibody has immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) and IgG4 predominance. It recognizes all negatively charged phospholipids, but various physical characteristics of the phospholipids alter the recognition patterns. Treatment for the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome has not been clearly defined. Anticoagulation with aspirin, heparin, or warfarin is currently favored. A role for corticosteroid remains to be demonstrated.     

Detection of serum anti-salivary duct antibody and its clinical significance

The authors developed an indirect immunofluorescence technique for the detection of Anti-salivary duct antibody (ASDA) and screened 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 15 patients with Sj?gren's syndrome-rheumatoid arthritis and 15 patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome, 63 cases with other connective tissue diseases, 9 cases with other diseases and 40 normal controls. The incidence of ASDA in patients with Sj?gren's syndrome rheumatoid arthritis (66.67%) or rheumatoid arthritis (32.35%) was significantly higher than that in normal controls (P less than 0.001). In patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome and other CTDs, non-CTDs, no ASDA was found. However, in patients with Sj?gren's syndrome-rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis alone, ASDA was not correlated with age, sex, disease duration or serological findings. The result suggests that the detection of serum ASDA might be useful in the differentiation of Sj?gren's syndrome with rheumatoid arthritis from primary Sj?gren's syndrome with arthralgia and/or arthritis.     

Incidence and clinical correlation of anticentromere antibody in Thai patients

Anticentromere antibodies (ACA) are useful in assessing and classifying patients with mild variant of systemic sclerosis called calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias (CREST) syndrome. From their prognostic significance, we are interested in the prevalence and disease correlation in Thai patients. A total of 3,233 serum samples of patients with any musculoskeletal symptoms were sent for antinuclear antibody determination at Ramathibodi Immunology Laboratory Service between the years 1998 and 2001. Forty sera (1.23%) were ACA positive. These sera were from 27 patients with autoimmune diseases and 13 with nonautoimmune diseases. Among autoimmune group, scleroderma was the most common diagnosis (33.3%) with limited sclerosis being the most frequent variant. The percentages of autoimmune disease were almost the same among the low-titer (1:40) and the high-titer (1:640) groups. The study suggests that the prevalence of ACA in Thai patients is low. The presence of ACA detected in patients with vague musculoskeletal symptoms does not suggest a diagnosis of CREST syndrome. Even high-titer ACA can be found in nonautoimmune diseases.     

The anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome: clinical and serological aspects.

The association of thromboses and/or cytopenias with anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), is well recognized. The syndrome may be primary or occur within systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The notion of the syndrome occurring within SLE is important since patients found to have aPL may be at risk for developing APS manifestations, those who develop some manifestations may be at risk for developing others and, finally, SLE patients with this syndrome may need special treatment. There are subtle differences between the primary and the secondary forms, mostly due to the frequently higher and more persistent autoantibody levels in the primary and the influence of lupus in the secondary. These syndromes may be related to various antigen/antibody systems in which phospholipids participate either directly or through their effect on the proteins that bind them. Similar clinical manifestations also occur in patients who have serum antibodies to such proteins (e.g. beta2-glycoprotein-I) in the absence of phospholipid. Some of these antibodies may even be more important pathogenically than the antibodies against cardiolipin that were originally described. Testing for the latter is, however, still the first choice when suspecting an antiphospholipid syndrome. If this is negative in this situation, a search for the other autoantibodies is indicated.     

Preliminary report on the clinical application of anti-Jo-1 antibody

Jo-1 antigen was purified from the rabbit thymus acetone powder. Using it as antigen, we found anti-Jo-1 antibody in 25% of polymyositis, 7.1% in dermatomyositis, none in other connective tissue diseases nor non-connective tissue diseases. Other antinuclear antibodies, eg anti-RNP, anti-SSA were also found in our polymyositis-dermatomyositis patients. Our study suggested, the positivity of anti-Jo 1 antibody not only confirmed the patient's diagnosis of polymyositis but also demonstrated the autoimmune pathogenesis of this disease.     

Antibasement membrane antibody disease without clinical evidence of renal disease

A 20-yr-old man is described with the rare presentation of antibasement membrane antibody (ABMA) disease confirmed on renal biopsy, but with normal renal function and urinary sediment. This distinct subgroup of ABMA appears to have an excellent prognosis. The relevant literature is reviewed and summarized.     

无精子症患者抗精子抗体的临床检测价值

目的评估无精子症患者血清和精浆中的抗精子抗体检测在区分梗阻性无精子症与特发性无精子症的临床价值。方法回顾性分析2010-01~2013-12住院行睾丸附件探查手术的204例无精子症患者的临床资料,根据手术探查的结果分为特发性无精子症组(A组)106例和梗阻性无精子症组(B组)98例,比较两组对象术前检测的血清和精浆中抗精子抗体的结果,分析血清和精浆抗精子抗体的检测在区分梗阻性无精子症与特发性无精子症的临床价值。结果 204例血清抗精子抗体的总阳性率为9.31%,精浆抗精子抗体的总阳性率为6.86%。A组术前血清和精浆抗精子抗体阳性率分别为7.55%和4.72%,其中Ig G为2.83%和1.89%、Ig M为1.89%和0.94%、Ig A为2.83%和1.89%。B组的术前血清和精浆抗精子抗体阳性率分别为11.22%和9.18%,其中Ig G为6.12%和4.08%、Ig M为3.06%和2.04%、Ig A为2.04%和3.06%。两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论无精子症患者的血清和精浆均有抗精子抗体阳性表达,但两者在区分梗阻性无精子症与特发性无精子症的灵敏度不高,临床上无法通过血清和精浆抗精子抗体的检测来判断无精子症患者的临床分型。     

Myelin-associated glycoprotein associated neuropathies: clinical features and antibody detection

<正>Objective To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG)-associated peripheral neuropathy,aswell as its antibody detection methods,treatment and prognosis. Methods Six cases of IgM paraproteinemia and anti-MAG antibody-associated peripheral neuropathy were summarized. All of the patients came from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Qilu Hospital since April 2014 to February 2018. The clinical features,     

ELISA for type-specific group B streptococcal antibody and its clinical significance

In order to investigate the neonatal infection of group B streptococci (GBS), vaginal and anal cultures, and measurement of type-specific antibodies to GBS were carried out on 461 pregnant women. Levels of antibody to GBS were measured with ELISA plates coated with type-specific antigen of GBS. These plates were furnished by Toyo Jozo Co., Ltd. The results were as follows: 1) Antibodies to type Ia, Ib, II and III were detected in 41.9, 34.7, 31.7 and 40.1% of subjects, respectively. 2) GBS was isolated in 78 (16.9%) of subjects. 3) Antibody levels against GBS in the sera of colonized mothers and cord blood of their infants were well correlated. 4) Among the colonized mothers, 4 out of 19 (Ia), 9 out of 18 (Ib) 5 out of 8 (II) and 5 out of 17 (III) showed low levels of antibody. 5) Those who had low levels of antibody were administered antibiotic delivery, and there was no case of crisis in both treatment (antibody levels were negative) and non-treatment (antibody levels were positive) groups.     

抗酿酒酵母细胞抗体在原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者中的临床意义

目的 检测原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者血清抗酿酒酵母细胞抗体(ASCA),探讨其在PBC中的阳性状况和临床意义.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测162例PBC患者、44例自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)患者、41例肝病对照组(LDC)患者、144例炎症性肠病(IBD)患者及35名健康体检者血清ASCA的IgA和IgG亚型.采用χ2检验和非参数U检验进行分析.结果 ASCA-IgA在PBC患者中的阳性率为24.1%,高于溃疡性结肠炎(UC)组11.6%(χ2=5.5,P＜0.05)和健康对照组0(χ2=10.5,P＜0.01),与AIH组(20.5%)、LDC组(14.6%)和克罗恩病(CD)组(34.5%)比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);ASCA-IgG在PBC患者中的阳性率为11.1%,明显低于CD组27.6%(χ2=8.9,P＜0.01),高于健康对照组0(χ2=10.5,P＜0.01),与AIH组(15.9%)、LDC组(7.3%)和UC组(8.1%)比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);ASCA-IgA和IgG同时阳性的PBC患者仅占6.2%,显著低于CD组17.2%(χ2=6.3,P＜0.05);ASCA-IgA或IgG阳性的PBC患者占29.0%,显著低于CD组44.8%(χ2=4.8,P＜0.05),高于UC组(χ2=5.9,P＜0.05)和健康对照组(χ2=13.3,P＜0.01).抗GP210抗体阳性的PBC患者ASCA阳性率高于抗GP210抗体阴性PBC患者(38.6%和23.8%,χ2=3.9,P＜0.05);抗线粒体抗体(AMA)、抗SP100抗体阳性和阴性PBC患者间ASCA的阳性率差异无统计学意义.ASCA-IgA阳性PBC患者总胆红素、直接胆红素、总胆汁酸、乳酸脱氢酶(LD)、IgA、IgM、红细胞沉降率(ESR)高于ASCA-IgA阴性PBC患者,而白蛋白(ALB)、白蛋白/球蛋白和胆碱酯酶低于ASCA-IgA阴性PBC患者(P均＜0.05).ASCA-IgG阳性PBC患者与阴性患者间肝功能损伤指标和免疫功能指标差异均无统计学意义.结论 ASCA并不是IBD特异性自身抗体,在PBC患者有较高的阳性率,且以IgA亚型为主.ASCA-IgA与PBC患者肝功能损伤指标和免疫活动指标改变有关,而ASCA-IgG与PBC患者肝功能损伤指标和免疫活动指标改变无关.     

Racial differences in antinuclear antibody patterns and clinical manifestations of scleroderma

The profile of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 49 Thais with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) was compared with that in 68 white Australians with scleroderma. Forty-eight (98%) of the Thais and all (100%) of the white Australians were positive for ANA, with the majority (100% and 97%, respectively) showing a diffuse speckled pattern of nuclear fluorescence. The distribution of the patterns was different in the 2 races; 35 (71%) of the Thais and 17 (25%) of the Australians showed staining of the nucleolus, and 1 (2%) of the Thais and 35 (51%) of the Australians showed staining of the centromeres. The frequency of precipitating antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens was also strikingly different: 86% in Thais and 26% in Australians (P less than 0.001). Precipitating antibodies to Scl-70 (topoisomerase I), the predominant extractable nuclear antigen in patients with scleroderma, were detected in 37 (76%) of the Thais and 18 (26%) of the Australians, and these were shown by Western blotting to react with the Scl-70 (topoisomerase I)-associated polypeptides. Differences in the frequencies of the ANA specificities in the 2 races were consistent with differences in the clinical manifestations of scleroderma; all of the Thai patients, in contrast to 15% of the Australian patients, had diffuse scleroderma with widespread skin involvement. This suggest that environmental or genetic factors may influence the expression of scleroderma.     

Campylobacter jejuni: clinical and diagnostic value of serum antibody titres

Eighty patients with either bacteriologically confirmed Campylobacter jejuni infection and/or an antibody titre value of at least 1:80, determined by ELISA, were studied. A significant correlation was found between titre value and severity of symptoms (P = 0.015). Although a correlation was noted between symptoms score and endoscopic abnormalities, this was not quite statistically significant (P = 0.053). Comparison of patients with a titre of at least 1:1280 and those with lower titre values revealed a significantly higher symptom score (P = 0.019) and endoscopic score (P = 0.015) in patients with a higher antibody level. By using the previously recommended titre of 1:640 as a cut-off point for active infection, all significant differences were lost. Of 12 patients with positive stool culture, 7 had a titre value of at least 1:1280, suggesting a sensitivity of 58%. However, of 20 patients with negative culture, 4 showed this titre value, three of whom were studied several weeks after the onset of their illness. In those patients with clinically proven Campylobacter infection, the antibody response was characterized by a rapid initial rise and a slow four-fold drop in antibody titre after 3 to 5 months. Colonic involvement of the infection was seen in 63% of our patients with positive cultures. Our results support the conclusion that ELISA is a valuable method of diagnosing C. jejuni infections when stool cultures are likely to become negative, as is the case in prolonged complaints or complications after gastro-enteritis or in proctocolitis or after the use of antibiotics. Serial serum samples have no advantage over a single sample for antibody detection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Improved measurements of anti-L-asparaginase IgG antibody and its clinical applications]

To elucidate the usefulness in prediction of hypersensitive reactions of L-asparaginase (L-asp), anti-L-asp IgG antibody was measured by two kinds of enzyme-linked immunosolvent assay (ELISA) with improved microplate method and original immunobeads method. The correlation coefficient of both methods matched very well (R = 0.949). Nine out of the 10 patients who were treated with L-asp for the first time showed the elevation of the anti L-asp IgG antibody and returned to normal range within 9 months thereafter. Twenty-two out of 26 patients (84.6%) who had ever developed hypersensitive reactions showed the positive anti-L-asp antibody. There was no positive correlation between the anti-L-asp titer and the severity of the hypersensitive reactions. We concluded that the ELISA with microplate was simple and useful methods to determined the anti-L-asp IgG antibody.