Clinical profile of ankylosing spondylitis patients in Togo

Aim of the workTo determine the clinical characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in rheumatology wards in Togo. Patients and methods: The medical records of AS patients in four rheumatology wards in Togo were recorded from January 2000 to December 2019. Results: The study included 37 AS cases out of 35,304 rheumatic diseases patients’ files that were investigated over the preceding 20 years; accounting for 0.1% of hospital cases. Male predominance was noticed with a M:F ratio of 4.3. The mean age at disease onset was 29.6 ± 10.3 years and the mean duration of the symptoms was 9.5 ± 9.2 years. The clinical findings were dominated by spinal pain (91.9%). The main peripheral joints involvements were knees (48.6%) and ankles (35.1%) and the most frequent extra-articular features were ocular with conjunctivitis (13.5%) and uveitis (8.1%) respectively. Plain radiographs of the spine revealed syndesmophytes (45.9%) with bony ankylosis and bamboo spine (21.6%); and that of the pelvis showed sacroiliitis in 89.2%. The human leucocytic antigen (HLA B27) was positive in four cases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sulfasalazine were the most commonly used drugs, respectively in 89.2% and 67.6% of patients. One patient was receiving biologic therapy. Conclusion: Ankylosing spondylitis is relatively rare in Togo. There is no particularity in the clinical features or imaging and laboratory findings. The diagnostic delay reflects the importance of the plain radiograph structural changes. NSAIDs and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the cornerstone of the treatment due to their accessibility in Togo.     

Genetic diversity of HLA system in a population from Guerrero,Mexico

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 144 Mexicans from the state of Guerrero to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the ten most frequent haplotypes in the state of Guerrero include eight Native American and two European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in the state of Guerrero are Native American (61.36 ± 2.69% by ML; 54.17% of Native American haplotypes) and European (35.01 ± 4.59% by ML; 32.29% of European haplotypes), and a relatively low African genetic component (3.63 ± 2.38% by ML; 5.90% of African haplotypes).     

Epitope load identifies kidney transplant recipients at risk of allosensitization following minimization of immunosuppression

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HLA markers in familial Lichen Sclerosus

Background: Lichen sclerosus (LS) has been identified with increased frequency in families,often associated with HLA markers, mainly DQ7. A genetic co‐etiology seems likely in this setting. Moreover, there is an association of LS with autoimmune disorders, such as the presence of anti‐thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (anti‐TPO), a hallmark of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Patients and Methods: In 3 families affected by LS, we verified their HLA markers, and identified previously undiagnosed cases of LS and autoimmune disorders. 30 individuals were examined with history, skin biopsy, HLA class I and II typing by PCR‐SSP, and measurement of anti‐TPO, free thyroxine and thyroidstimulating hormones (TSH) levels. Results: There were 8 cases of LS, 50 % of them anti‐TPO+. Autoimmune disorders were found in 40 % (total) and in 87.5 % of those affected. Most common HLA markers were B*15, B*57, CW*03, CW*07, CW*18, DRB1*04, DRB1*07, DRB4*. The three latter have been previously associated with LS. Conclusion: New cases of LS and autoimmune disorders can be detected in first degree relatives of patients with LS. The presence of anti‐TPO antibodies strongly suggests autoimmune thyroiditis. There is intra‐familial association between the haplotype HLA‐B*15 ‐DRB1*04 ‐DRB4* and anti‐TPO,emphasizing their link with thyroiditis. New familial approaches might help to make clear the pathogenesis of LS and its association with autoimmune diseases.     

Etiological heterogeneity in Hodgkin's disease: HLA linked and unlinked determinants of susceptibility independent of histological concordance

Forty-one multiplex families, from published sources and new data from the National Cancer Institute, segregating for Hodgkin's disease and HLA, have been studied. A reanalysis of these data strongly suggests a recessive mode of inheritance for susceptibility to Hodgkin's disease. The HLA haplotype sharing data between affected relatives demonstrate that approximately 60% of cases in multiplex families are due to an HLA-linked susceptibility gene, the remaining 40% being due to other familial factors. The data clearly support the hypothesis of etiological heterogeneity for Hodgkin's disease, with both HLA-linked and HLA-unlinked factors being responsible. Finally, there is an increased concordance of histological types between affected relatives, but this concordance seems independent of HLA sharing.     

Options for Immunologic Support of Renal Transplantation Through the HLA and Immunology Laboratories

HLA and immunology laboratories are an integral part of clinical kidney transplant programs. They assist transplant clinicians with evaluating the immunological suitability of potential recipients for transplantation and selecting donor-recipient combinations with a low risk of immunological failure. With sophisticated new techniques becoming available for posttransplant immunological monitoring, laboratories play an increasing supporting role during posttransplant follow up. The level of precision at which immunological testing predicts clinical outcome, however, leaves room for improvement. In this article, we summarize the current state of diagnostics, discuss problems, and point out promising developments.     

发作性睡病与HLA—DQB1＊0602基因的相关性研究

目的 探讨发作性睡病与HLA—DQB1基因的相关性。方法 对30例发作性睡病患者的临床资料进行分析。用序列特异性引物-聚合酶链反应（PCR-SSP）分型技术测定HLA—DQB1等位基因，并与44例健康人检测的数据进行比较。结果 发作性睡病患者组DQB1＊0602基因频率为40％，与正常对照组9．09％相比较明显增高；未检出DQB1＊0401—0402基因，与正常对照组9．09％相比较，经统计学分析，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论 HLA—DQB1＊0602基因为中国发作性睡病人群的易感基因；HLA-DQB1＊0401—0402基因为中国发作性睡病人群的保护基因。     

The natural history of uveitis

Summary Inflammatory diseases of the eye were known to the ancients, but only recently have the underlying mechanisms to this problem become better defined. During the middle portion of this century, most cases of uveitis thought to be caused by infectious agents, such as those responsible for syphilis and tuberculosis. Since then, it has become clear that endogenous mechanisms of immunomodulation play an important role in these disorders, which along with environmental and genetic factors make up an important triad. Animals studies have indicated the pivotal role of the T-cell in many of these disorders. The development of T-cell lines has helped to further delineate cell to cell interactions that occur during an ocular inflammatory event. The presence in the eye of uveitogenic antigens raises the strong possibility of autoimmune driven processes as well, similar to what is seen in the animal models. The better understanding of ocular inflammatory mechanisms has led to improved therapeutic strategies, including Sandimmune, and more recently Cyclosporine G, a related compound that may be less nephrotoxic. Newer therapeutic strategies will focus on even more novel modes of immunomodulation, probably without the use of medications.     

HLA-B_(27)与急性前葡萄膜炎相关性的临床研究

目的 :应用SSP PCR(Sequencespecialprime polymerasechainreaction)基因检定技术对急性前葡萄膜炎 (a cuteanterioruveitis ,AAU)患者HLA B2 7基因进行检测 ,并且对HLA B2 7阳性与阴性患者临床特征加以分析。方法 :采用SSP PCR基因检定技术检测 98例AAU患者及 82例正常人样本的HLA B2 7基因。并对HLA B2 7阳性与阴性患者临床特征进行观察。结果 :98例AAU患者样本中有 5 7例样本呈HLA B2 7阳性 ,82例正常人样本有 4例样本呈HLA B2 7阳性 ,阳性率分别为 5 8.2 %和 4 .9%。经 χ2 检验 ,χ2 =4 1.33,P <0 .0 0 5 ,二组间有显著差异。HLA B2 7阳性患者多见于男性 ,单眼多见 ,粉尘状KP ,发病时视力下降明显 ,易于复发 ,且并发症少为其特征 ,激素治疗效果佳。结论 :采用SSP PCR基因检定技术测定HLA B2 7快速、简单、准确性高、客观性强 ,值得推广和应用。HLA B2 7与急性前葡萄膜炎有着高度相关性。HLA B2 7阳性患者与阴性患者在临床特征上有着一定程度的差异。     

PCR-SSP法HLA-A、B基因分型与血清学分型的比较

目的比较聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物(PCR-SSP)进行HLA-Ⅰ类A、B抗原位点分型的准确性,并探讨血清学分型错误发生的原因。方法用PCR-SSP以及单克隆抗体血清学分型技术对HLA-A、B分型并比较。结果34例样本PCR-SSP基因分型无假阳性和假阴性出现。PCR-SSP法与血清学比较,血清学检出错误或漏检率分别为HLA-A位点23.5%,B位点26.5%。血清学发生错误或易混淆的抗原有:A2和A68、A32和A33,B5、B60和61。结论PCR-SSP法进行HLA-A、B抗原等位基因分型具有分辨率高、特异性强、重复性好、实验过程简捷快速、分型结果较血清学更加准确可靠的优点。