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BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a multifactorial disorder involving complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, where immune dysfunction plays a key etiopathogenic role. In order to explore the control of innate immune responses in SZ, we aimed to investigate the potential association between twelve TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 variants (TLR2: rs4696480T>A, rs3804099T>C, rs3804100T>C; TLR4: rs1927914G>A, rs10759932T>C, rs4986790A>G, rs4986791T>C, rs11536889G>C, rs11536891T>C; TLR9: rs187084A>G, rs352139T>C and rs352140C>T) and SZ susceptibility in a Tunisian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 150 patients and 201 healthy controls with no history of psychiatric illness. Genotyping was done using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. We also assessed a haplotype analysis for TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 variants with SZ using Haploview 4.2 Software. RESULTS: We found that the AA genotype of the TLR2 rs4696480T>A variant was significantly associated with an increased risk of SZ (46% vs. 31%, P=4.7×10-3, OR=1.87 and 95% CI [1.18-2.97]). The frequency of the TA genotype was significantly higher in the control group than in SZ patients (27% vs. 43%, P=2.1×10-3) and may be associated with protection against SZ (OR=0.49 and 95% CI [0.30-0.80]). Whereas, the TLR9 rs187084-GG genotype was higher in the control group compared to patients (16% vs. 5%, P=1.6×10-3) and would present protection against SZ (OR=0.28, CI=[0.10-0.68]). The ACT haplotype of the TLR2 and the ACC haplotype of the TLR9 gene were identified as a risk haplotypes for SZ (P=0.04, OR=9.30, 95% CI=[1.11-77.71]; P=3×10-4, OR=6.05, 95% CI=[2.29-15.98], respectively). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that TLR2 and TLR9 genetic diversity may play a role in genetic vulnerability to SZ. However, including more patients and evaluation of TLR2 and TLR9 expression are recommended.
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Esquizofrenia , Receptor 2 Toll-Like , Humanos , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor Toll-Like 9/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética , Genótipo , Estudos de Casos e ControlesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Direct anthropometric measurements to assess body composition have limited precision and/or specificity. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to develop a prediction equation based on anthropometric measurements for estimating total body water (TBW) in a healthy population. METHODS: TBW was assessed using the deuterium dilution method in 398 Moroccan participants (235 women and 163 men) aged 11.6-88 y, then compared to the estimations made by previously published anthropometric equations. By sex, participants were randomly assigned into development (n = 199) and validation subgroups (n = 199). A new anthropometric equation was developed in the development subgroup from data obtained on body volume (BV), weight, and sex, where the BV was calculated from participants' height. Then the equation was validated in the validation subgroup using the Bland and Altman procedure, bias, and pure error. External validation was performed using a sample from Tunisia (n = 220, 51.8% female, 18-65 y). RESULTS: Bias in predicting TBW showed unacceptable value for all previously published equations as it was significantly overestimated. The following new equation using anthropometric measurements [TBW (kg) = -5.249 + 107.502 BV (L) + 0.289 weight (kg) + 2.015 sex (male: 1, female: 0); (R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 1.885 kg)] was developed, and its internal validation was confirmed. The generated bias and pure error values were 0.047 kg (95% CI: -0.235, 0.330) and 2.02 kg (95% CI: 1.73, 2.31), respectively. The external validation of the new TBW prediction equation on a Tunisian sample showed a bias and pure error values of 0.07 kg (95% CI: -0.289, 0.429) and 2.36 kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the new anthropometric-based prediction equation provides a good estimation of TBW and other body composition compartments. It could be recommended as an alternative method to assess body composition for epidemiological and clinical studies.
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Composição Corporal , Água Corporal , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Impedância Elétrica , Antropometria/métodos , Técnicas de Diluição do IndicadorRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with unexplained articular manifestations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred thirteen patients suffering from arthritis or arthralgia without evident cause and 266 healthy blood donors (HBD) were included in the study. Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI) were measured by ELISA. RESULT: Out of the 313 patients, 250 were females and 63 were males. The mean age of patients was 49 ± 14 years (17-87 years). One hundred eleven patients have arthralgia and 202 have arthritis. The frequency of aCL and/or aß2 GPI (24.9%) was significantly higher in patients than in HBD (10.9%). The frequency of aß2GPI was 23.6% in patients and 9.4% in the control group (p < 10-3 ). aß2GPI-IgA was significantly more frequent in patients than in the control group (20.4% vs. 7.5%, p < 10-3 ). aß2GPI was most commonly observed than aCL in patients (23.6% vs. 6.4%, p < 10-6 ). IgA isotype of aß2GPI was the most frequent in 20.4% of patients while IgG and IgM were detected in 5.4% and 2.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that aPL were common in patients with articular manifestations and were mainly directed against ß2 GPI. The role of these antibodies remains to be specified.
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Síndrome Antifosfolipídica , Artrite , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos , Anticorpos Anticardiolipina , Autoanticorpos , beta 2-Glicoproteína I , Artrite/epidemiologia , Imunoglobulina A , ArtralgiaRESUMO
AIM: To determine the frequency of serological markers of RA in patients with anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI) of IgA isotype. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 67 patients with aß2GPI-IgA. Ninety healthy blood donors (HBD) were used as a control group. IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (CCP-Ab) and rheumatoid factors (RF) IgG, IgA, and IgM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Seventeen patients and eight HBD had CCP-Ab and/or RF (25.4% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.005, CI 95% [14.95; 35.79], odds ratio = 3.5). The frequency of CCP-Ab was significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (14.9% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.009). IgA isotype of RF was significantly higher in patients than in controls (7.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.02). In male patients, CCP-Ab and/or RF were more frequent than in healthy male subjects (37.5% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.02). In patients, no correlation was found between the levels of aß2GPI-IgA and CCP-Ab (r = 0.082, p = 0.51). There was no correlation between the level aß2GPI-IgA and the level of the isotypes of RF (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in patients (r = 0.1, p = 0.37; r = 0.17, p = 0.17 and r = 0.07, p = 0.59 respectively). CONCLUSION: Frequencies of CCP-Ab and RF are high in patients with aß2GPI-IgA suggesting that these patients are susceptible to developing RA.
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Artrite Reumatoide , Imunoglobulina A , Anticorpos Antiproteína Citrulinada , Autoanticorpos , Biomarcadores , Glicoproteínas , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G , Imunoglobulina M , Masculino , Peptídeos Cíclicos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fator ReumatoideRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies have been reported in several autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of aPL (anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI)) in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five patients with AITD (139 Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients and 56 Graves' disease (GD) patients) and 90 healthy blood donors (HBD) were studied. IgG, IgA and IgM aCL and aß2GPI were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four AITD patients were women and 41 were men. Fifty-six healthy subjects were women and 34 were men. The median age of patients and the control group was 45 and 38.5 years, respectively. The frequency of aPL was significantly higher in patients with AITD and in patients with HT than in HBD (33.3% vs 11.1%, p < 10-3 and 38.1% vs 11.1%, p < 10-3 ). The frequency of aPL in GD was significantly lower than in HT (21.4% vs 38.1%, p = 0.025). In patients with HT, aß2GPI (34.5%) was significantly more frequent than aCL (13.6%) (p < 10-3 ). The frequency of aß2GPI was significantly higher in patients with HT than in healthy population (34.5% vs 11.1%, p < 10-3 ). In HT patients, IgA isotype of aß2GPI was significantly more common than in HBD and in GD patients (27.3% vs 7.8%, p < 10-3 and 27.3% vs 12.5%, p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: aß2GPI and not aCL were frequent in AITD. IgA was the predominant isotype of aß2GPI. aß2GPI-IgA was more frequent in HT than in GD.
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Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos , Doença de Hashimoto , Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , beta 2-Glicoproteína I , Anticorpos Anticardiolipina , Doença de Hashimoto/epidemiologia , Imunoglobulina ARESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI) among Tunisian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Ninety RA patients with positive anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti-CCP) and 90 healthy blood donors (HBD) were studied. aCL and aß2GPI of isotype IgG, IgA and IgM were detected by ELISA. RESULT: The frequency of antiphopholipid antibodies (aPL) (aCL and/or aß2GPI) was significantly higher in patients with RA than in HBD (35.5% vs 11.1%, P = .0001). The frequencies of aCL and aß2GPI were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (15.5% vs 5.5%, P = .04 and 32.2% vs 11.1%, P = .0005 respectively). aß2GPI-IgA were significantly more frequent in patients than in the control group (26.7% vs 7.8%, P = .0007). In patients, aß2GPI-IgA were significantly more frequent than aß2GPI-IgG (26.7% vs. 6.7%, P = .0003) and aß2GPI-IgM (26.7% vs 5.6%, P = .0001). In RA patients, the frequency of aß2GPI was significantly higher than that of aCL (32.2% vs 15.5%, P = .008). aß2GPI-IgA was significantly more frequent than aCL-IgA (26.7% vs 4.4%, P = .00005). The average titer of anti-CCP in aPL positive patients was significantly higher than in aPL negative patients (170.6 ± 50 RU/mL vs 147.7 ± 51 RU/mL, P = .04). Significant correlation was found between aß2GPI-IgA and anti-CCP (r = .235, P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: aPL and particularly aß2GPI-IgA are frequent in RA and are correlated with anti-CCP.
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Artrite Reumatoide/sangue , Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , beta 2-Glicoproteína I/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Anticorpos Anticardiolipina/sangue , Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos/sangue , Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos/imunologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , TunísiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is an important agent in the prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity. OBJECTIVES: To provide preliminary data on PA among school children and to correlate the PA with weight status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 40 children aged between 8 and 11 years and attending Tunisian schools were recruited. The body composition was determined by using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. PA was determined by the PAQ-C (PA Questionnaire for Older Children). An objective monitoring of PA and sedentary time was achieved by using ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometers. RESULTS: PAQ-C data demonstrate that 20% of the sample had light PA levels and 80% had moderate PA levels. Times spent in sedentary (62.37%) and light (30.80%) activities were higher than that spent in moderate and vigorous (6.83%) activities. Furthermore, almost half of the sample spent more than 60 min per day in moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). The average MVPA was significantly higher in normal weight than overweight and obese groups (67.68 ± 20.98 vs. 49.07 ± 19.09, p = 0.007). The proportion of overweight children who spent more than 60 min per day in MVPA was significantly higher than that of normal-weight (60.9 vs. 29.4%; p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that half of school children comply with the health-based guidelines for PA and sedentary behavior. Our findings also suggest that obesity was associated with decrease in PA in Tunisian children.
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Acelerometria , Exercício Físico , Inquéritos e Questionários , Composição Corporal , Peso Corporal , Criança , Deutério , Feminino , Humanos , Técnicas de Diluição do Indicador , Masculino , Obesidade , Sobrepeso , Comportamento Sedentário , Estudantes , TunísiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In this study, cross-reactive epitopes on ß2 glycoprotein I and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been described. The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of anti S. cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) in patients with anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 77 patients with aß2GPI (aß2GPI-IgG or aß2GPI-IgA). Eighty blood donors were used as a control group. ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Thirteen patients among 77 had ASCA. ASCA (IgA or IgG) was significantly more frequent in patients than in healthy subjects (16.9% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.01). The positivity of both ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA is higher in patients than in control group (6.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). The frequency of ASCA IgG was significantly higher in patients than in the control group (15.6% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.009). In females, the frequency of ASCA IgG was significantly higher in patients than in control group (17.5% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.03). The average titer of ASCA IgG was significantly higher in patients than in the control group (9.7 ± 23 U/ml vs. 2.2 ± 2.8 U/ml; P = 0.004). ASCA IgG was significantly more frequent than ASCA IgA in all patients (15.6% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The frequency of ASCA was significantly higher in patients with aß2GPI than in the control group.
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Síndrome Antifosfolipídica/sangue , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/imunologia , beta 2-Glicoproteína I/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Síndrome Antifosfolipídica/microbiologia , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/patogenicidade , Fatores Sexuais , Tunísia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
AIM: To evaluate, retrospectively, the frequency of autoantibodies of antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) in Tunisian patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 80 PBC sera and 80 sera from blood donors. ELISA was used to determine the frequency of antibodies against cardiolipin (aCL IgG, IgA, and IgM) and beta 2 glycoprotein I (aß2GPI IgG, IgA, and IgM). RESULTS: The frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aCL and/or aß2GPI) was significantly higher in PBC patients than in controls (70 vs. 5%, P < 10(-6)). The frequency of aCL antibodies (IgG, IgA or IgM) was significantly higher in PBC patients than in the control group (23.7 vs. 3.7%, P = 0.0005). The frequencies of aCL IgA and aCL IgM in PBC patients' sera were significantly higher than those in the control group (10 vs. 0%, P = 0.003 and 20 vs. 2.5%, P = 0.001, respectively). Two patients of eighty (2.5%) had aCL IgG, aCL IgA and aCL IgM. The frequency of aß2GPI antibodies (IgG, IgA, or IgM) was significantly higher in PBC patients than in the control group (70 vs. 1.2%, P < 10(-6)). The frequencies of aß2GPI IgG, aß2GPI IgA, and aß2GPI IgM in PBC patients' sera were significantly higher in patients than in the control group (12.5 vs. 0%, P = 0.003; 62.5 vs. 1.2%, P < 10(-6); and 21.2 vs. 0%, P < 10(-4), respectively). CONCLUSION: Autoantibodies related to APLS (aCL and aß2GPI) were present in the majority of patients with PBC, reflecting the ability of these antibodies to engage mediators of damage.
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Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos/sangue , Anticorpos/sangue , Cirrose Hepática Biliar/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , beta 2-Glicoproteína I/imunologiaRESUMO
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by not only gastrointestinal but also extraintestinal manifestations. The aim of our study was to do a serological screening for CD, by IgA endomysial antibodies (EmA), in patients with unexplained articular manifestations. Two hundred and eleven patients suffering from arthritis or arthralgia without evident cause were studied. EmA were determined by indirect immunofluorescence on human umbilical cord. Two thousand and five hundred blood donors served as control group. Out of 211 patients, 5 had EmA (2.37 %). The frequency of EmA in our patients was significantly higher than in the control group (2.37 vs. 0.28 %, p < 0.01). All patients with positive EmA were female. EmA were significantly more frequent in female patients than in female healthy subjects (3 vs. 0.4 %, p < 0.01). Medical records revealed: diarrhea (one patient), short size (one patient), anemia (three patients), weight loss (two patients) spontaneous abortion (three patients), secondary amenorrhea (one patient), early menopause (one patient) and early baby death (one patient). Biochemical analysis showed decreased level of calcium (one patient), vitamin D (one patient) and cholesterol (one patient). Unexplained liver cytolysis was observed in two patients. Radiological examination showed demineralization of two hands in one patient. Bone osteodensitometry done in one patient out of five revealed lumbar osteopenia. The articular manifestations of the five patients did not respond to corticosteroid treatment. CD must be considered among the differential diagnosis in a patient with arthritis or arthralgia.
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Artralgia/etiologia , Artrite/etiologia , Autoanticorpos/sangue , Doença Celíaca/diagnóstico , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Transglutaminases/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Artralgia/diagnóstico , Artrite/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores/sangue , Doença Celíaca/sangue , Doença Celíaca/complicações , Doença Celíaca/imunologia , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Proteínas de Ligação ao GTP , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Proteína 2 Glutamina gama-Glutamiltransferase , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Testes Sorológicos , Fatores Sexuais , Tunísia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an important member of the host's innate immune response, is coded by a polymorphic gene. This polymorphism could be a predisposing factor for NasoPharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). AIM: To determine the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to NPC in a cohort of Tunisian affected patients. METHODS: Genomic DNAs from 245 unrelated patients affected by undifferentiated carcinoma type (UCNT) and 264 unrelated healthy controls were genotyped for the five single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR4 locus (4434 A>G (rs1927914),7263 G>C (rs10759932), 6134 A>G(rs4986790), 8851C>T (rs 4986791), 5272 T>C(rs11536889), +8469 T>C (rs11536891)) by Taqman® 5'-nuclease assay. RESULTS: Among all polymorphisms studied, only the rs4986790 G and rs4986791 T alleles were significantly more prevalent in patients' group than controls (45% vs. 38%; p=0.03; pc=0.06) and increased the risk of the NPC (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.01-1.69). Also, we found that the frequency of the rs4986790 AA and rs4986791 TT genotypes was significantly higher in controls than in patients (25.7% vs 37%; p=0.006, pc=0.02) and conferred a protector factor in NPC (OR= 0.59, 95% CI= 0.39-0.87). Further, based on the Kaplan-Meier survival curve we observed also the positive effect ofrs1927914 AA genotype on a prognostic of NPC (p=0.006; pc=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that impaired production of TLR4 seems to be a risk factor of NPC development but functional studies are needed to confirm these findings. As to rs1927914 AA appears to be a good biomarker for better survival in a patient with NPC.
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Predisposição Genética para Doença , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas , Humanos , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Genótipo , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/epidemiologia , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/genética , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genéticaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to determine the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: The frequency and titers of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI) were determined in sera of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, IgM aCL, and aß2GPI were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 62 ± 13.9 years, ranging from 23 to 86 years. Stratification according to severity of infection divided patients in 2 groups: 45 patients with moderate infection and 38 patients with critical or severe infection. Out of the 83 patients suffering from COVID-19, aPL (aCL or aß2GPI) were detected in 24 patients (28.9%). IgG, IgA and IgM aß2GPI were positive in 2.4%, 16.9% and 8.4%, respectively. IgG, IgA and IgM aCL showed positivity in 7.2%, 0%, and 4.8%, respectively. The frequency of aPL was 36.8% in patients with critical/severe infection and 22.2% in patients with moderate infection. In critical/severe patients, the frequency of aß2GPI was significantly higher than aCL (34.2% vs 13.2%, P = .03) and aß2GPI-IgA were significantly more frequent than aß2GPI-IgG (21.1% vs 2.6%, P = .028). CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional study, aPL and particularly aß2GPI-IgA were common in patients with COVID-19.
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COVID-19 , Imunoglobulina A , SARS-CoV-2 , beta 2-Glicoproteína I , Humanos , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Idoso , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , beta 2-Glicoproteína I/imunologia , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Adulto Jovem , Anticorpos Antifosfolipídeos/sangue , Anticorpos Anticardiolipina/sangue , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Imunoglobulina M/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção EnzimáticaRESUMO
Celiac disease (CD) and rheumathoid arthritis (RA) are both multi-factorial chronic inflammatory auto-immune diseases. In this retrospective study, we determined the frequency of CD in patients with RA using IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EmA) and tried to explain this association. Indirect immunofluorescence on human umbilical cord was used to detect EmA in 215 patients with seropositive RA collected over a 4-year-period. Two thousand and five hundred healthy blood donors (HBD) served as control group. Among the 215 patients with RA, 12 (9 females) were found positive for EmA while only 7 were positive for EmA in control group, EmA are significantly more frequent in RA patients than in HBD (5.58% vs. 0.28%, p < 10-6; 95% CI [8.21-54.01]; odds ratio: 21.05). In RA patients, the frequency of EmA was not statistically different between males and females. The frequency of EmA was significantly higher in female patients than in healthy females (5.32% vs. 0.40%, p < 10-3). Patients with RA can be considered as a high-risk group for CD based on the high frequency of EmA positivity observed in our study.
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Artrite Reumatoide , Doença Celíaca , Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , Doença Celíaca/diagnóstico , Doença Celíaca/epidemiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Imunoglobulina A , Autoanticorpos , Artrite Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Artrite Reumatoide/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Given the global decline in adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), even within its native region, it is key to identify the factors influencing this trend to mitigate the negative health outcomes associated with westernized diets. To this end, 4025 individuals (49.6% women, 42.6 ± 14.2 y/o) from Greece, Italy, Morocco, Slovenia, and Tunisia remotely completed a series of measures assessing motives, attitudes, and psychosocial factors related to MD adherence, which was evaluated using the MEDAS questionnaire. The results suggested medium-to-low adherence across all countries, with the highest adherence in Italy and Morocco and the lowest in Slovenia. Structural equation modeling revealed that positive attitudes toward the healthiness of food were the strongest predictors of adherence, whereas picky eating was a significant negative predictor in all countries except Greece. Adherence to the MD was positively influenced by health motivations in Morocco and weight control in Slovenia and Greece, while sensory appeal negatively influenced adherence in Italy. Additionally, price and convenience were significant barriers in Tunisia and Greece, whereas a preference for local and seasonal foods promoted adherence in Morocco and Greece. Overall, our findings underscore the need for country-specific interventions and policies that address distinct local factors and motivations to ease favorable shifts in dietary patterns toward MD principles.
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Dieta Mediterrânea , Humanos , Dieta Mediterrânea/estatística & dados numéricos , Dieta Mediterrânea/psicologia , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Marrocos , Itália , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Grécia , Tunísia , Eslovênia , Motivação , Inquéritos e Questionários , Comportamento Alimentar/psicologia , Cooperação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) had been known to be specific for Crohn's disease but it has been found in many other autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Furthermore, cross-reactive epitopes on ß2-glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were found in SLE patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of ASCA in patients with SLE and to compare it with that of anti-ß2GPI antibodies (aß2GPI). Sera of 116 patients with SLE were analyzed in this retrospective study. All patients fulfilled at least 4 criteria of the 1997 American College of Rheumatology updated criteria for the classification of SLE. Sera of 160 blood donors were included as normal controls. ASCA IgA and IgG and aß2GPI antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The frequency of ASCA (IgG and/or IgA) was significantly higher in SLE patients than in control group (31.9 vs. 3.7 %, p < 10(-6)). ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA were more frequent in SLE patients than in control group (29.3 vs. 3.1 %, p < 10(-6) and 12.1 vs. 0.6 %, p = 10(-4), respectively). The mean level of ASCA IgG was higher than that of ASCA IgA (9.5 vs. 6.4 U/ml) but the difference was not statistically significant. The frequencies of aß2GPI (IgG and/or IgA) and aß2GPI IgA were significantly higher than those of ASCA (IgG and/or IgA) and ASCA IgA (54.3 vs. 31.9 %, p = 5 × 10(-4) and 50.9 vs. 12.1 %, p < 10(-6), respectively). Increased ASCA IgG was observed in patients with SLE, suggesting a role of environmental stimuli in its pathogenesis.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antifúngicos/sangue , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/microbiologia , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/etiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , beta 2-Glicoproteína I/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) had been known to be specific for Crohn's disease, but they had also been found in many other autoimmune diseases. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ASCA in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-seven patients with AITD and 160 healthy controls were included in the study. One hundred and nineteen patients had Graves' disease (GD) and 78 patients had Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). ASCA IgG and IgA were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: ASCA IgG were significantly more frequent in patients with GD than in control group (11.8% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.002). In HT, the frequency of ASCA IgG was similar to that of the control group (3.8% and 3.1% respectively). The frequency of ASCA IgA was similar in GD (0.8%), HT (2.6%), and the control group (3.1%). In all GD patients, the frequency of ASCA IgG was significantly higher than that of ASCA IgA (11.8% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.001). These results were also true even in male and female groups (10.4% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.01 and 14.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.01, respectively). ASCA IgG levels were significantly higher in GD patients (6.7 ± 11.1 vs. 2.2 ± 2.8, p = 3 × 10(-6)) and in HT patients (4.2 ± 4.7 vs. 2.2 ± 2.8, p = 0.0002) than those in the control group. ASCA IgA levels were comparable among patients with GD, HT, and the control group. In GD patients, the mean titer of ASCA IgG was significantly higher than that of ASCA IgA (6.7 ± 11.1 vs. 3.6 ± 4.2, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Patients with GD had a higher frequency of ASCA IgG than controls.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antifúngicos/biossíntese , Doença de Graves/imunologia , Doença de Hashimoto/imunologia , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Antifúngicos/sangue , Criança , Feminino , Doença de Graves/epidemiologia , Doença de Hashimoto/epidemiologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina A/biossíntese , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/biossíntese , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tunísia/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
To determine the frequency of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) in particular anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2GPI) in Tunisian patients with type 1 diabetes. One hundred and two patients with type 1 diabetes (34 children, 68 adults) were studied. As control groups, we used sera of 156 adults and 65 children without type 1 diabetes. aCL and aß2GPI were detected by ELISA. The frequency of aPL was significantly higher in type 1 diabetes patients than in control group (18.6% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001). In patients, aPL were significantly more frequent in adults than in children (25% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.04). In the whole group of type 1 diabetes, aCL were significantly more frequent in long-term type 1 diabetes than in inaugural type 1 diabetes (21.2% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.04). In adults, aß2GPI were significantly more frequent in inaugural type 1 diabetes than in controls (20% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001), and the frequency of aCL was significantly higher in long-term type 1 diabetes than in controls (21.9% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). Female adults with type 1 diabetes had high frequency of aCL and aß2GPI.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease of liver that may be associated with other conditions, including autoimmune thyroid diseases. We aimed to investigate the frequency of anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), antithyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab), and anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TSHR-Ab) in Tunisian patients with PBC. METHODS: Sera of 80 patients with PBC were collected over a 9-year period. A total of 189 healthy blood donors (HBD) were included in the control group. Measurements of TPO-Ab and TG-Ab were performed using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Competitive ELISA was used to assess TSHR-Ab. RESULTS: Antithyroid antibodies (ATA) were significantly more frequent in PBC patients than in the control group (13.7% vs 1.6%; P < 10-3). Out of 11 patients with ATA, 10 (90.9%) were female. Nine patients and 2 HBD had TPO-Ab (11.2% vs 1%; P < 10-3). TG-Ab were more frequent in patients than in healthy subjects but the difference was not statistically significant (6.2% vs 1.6%; P = .1). TPO-Ab and TG-Ab were present together in 3 patients (3.7%). TSHR-Ab were absent in patients and controls. CONCLUSION: This study shows that PBC is associated with a high frequency of ATA but not TG-Ab or TSHR-Ab.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease that is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions. OBJECTIVE: To perform serological screening for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with HT. METHODS: Our study included 88 consecutive serum specimens of patients with confirmed HT and 88 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. All study participants were tested for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (CCP-Ab) and rheumatoid factor (RF). CCP-Ab and RF were performed using ELISA commercial kits. Statistical analysis was conducted using Epi Info, version 3. RESULTS: Out of 88 patients with HT, 15 (17.0%) had CCP-Ab or RF. The frequency of serological markers of RA was significantly higher in patients than in control individuals (17.0% vs 4.5%; P = .007). RF was more frequent in patients than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (13.6% vs 3.4%; P = .01). Isolated RF-IgM was absent in all controls and present in 6 patients with HT (6.8% vs 0%; P = .02). Out of 14 male patients, 3 (21.4%) had antibodies of RA. There was no significant difference in age between patients with CCP-Ab or RF and those without. CONCLUSION: A high frequency of serological markers of RA was highlighted in patients with HT.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease of the liver characterized by destructive lymphocytic cholangitis and anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA). Anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100, are used for the diagnosis of PBC in AMA-negative PBC patients. Patients with PBC have a propensity to have an extrahepatic manifestation which is especially autoimmune. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency of serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (CCP-Ab or RF) in PBC patients and to do the vice versa. METHODS: Our PBC study included 70 patients with PBC and 80 healthy blood donors (HBD) and our RA study included 75 patients with RA and 75 HBD. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP-Ab) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were performed by indirect ELISA. AMA, anti-Sp100 and anti-gp210 were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: RA autoantibodies (CCP-Ab or RF) were more frequent in PBC patients than in HBD (65.7% vs. 8.7% p ã10-6). CCP-Ab were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls (15.7% vs. 2.5%; p = 0.004). Nine patients had both CCP-Ab and RF vs. none of controls (12.8% vs. 0%; p = 0.001). RF were detected in 45 patients with PBC and in 5 HBD (64.3% vs. 6.2%; p ã10-6). In PBC patients, RF were more frequent than CCP-Ab (64.3% vs. 15.7%; p ã10-6). RF-IgG were present in 18.5% of patients; RF-immunoglobulin (Ig) A in 34.3% and RF-IgM in 54.3%. These frequencies were significantly higher than those found in control group (1.2% for RF-IgG (p ã10-3); 0% for RF-IgA (p ã10-6); and 6.2% for RF-IgM (p ã10-6)). In our PBC patients, RF-IgA were more frequent than RF-IgG (34.3% vs. 18.5%; p = 0.03) and than CCP-Ab (34.3% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.01). Six patients had only RF-IgA versus none of the control group (8.6% vs. 0%; p = 0.01). AMA, anti-Sp100 and anti-gp 210 were absent in all RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serological markers of RA were more frequent in PBC patients than in HBD and the vice versa was not true.