Immuno-Diagnostic Interest in Monitoring CD16+CD56+ (Natural Killer) Cells and CD19+CD45+ (B Lymphocytes) in Individuals Newly Diagnosed with HIV in a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Monitoring multiple cellular markers of immune cells may provide a more accurate evaluation of the immune status of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). This study assessed the value of CD16+CD56+ cells (NK cells) and CD19+ lymphocytes (B cells) phenotyping in indicating viral load, AIDS status, and treatment efficacy. METHOD: A retrospective, laboratory-based study was conducted at the Diagnostic immunology division of a referral tertiary hospital. It involved 82 newly diagnosed HIV patients treated between 2009-2016. We explored three objectives: (1) the paired change in CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ cells counts and percentages from baseline to 2-to-6 months after treatment; (2) the association of these phenotypes with 5 gradual categories of viral load; and (3) the accuracy of CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ cells counts in indicating AIDS stage defined as CD4+ < 200 cells/mm3. The second and third objectives were tested using a pooled analysis (N = 300-373). RESULT: The median CD19+CD45+ and CD16+CD56+ counts increased by 1.9-fold and 1.3-fold after treatment respectively (p < 0.001). A negative correlation of viral load with both CD16+CD56+ (ρ = -0.29, p < 0.001) and CD19+CD45+ (ρ = -0.34, p < 0.001) counts was observed. CD16+CD56+ count < 73 cells/mm3 and CD19+CD45+ count < 166.5 were indicative for AIDS with 95.5% and 63.6% sensitivity respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings advocate for the usefulness of CD16+CD56+ and CD19+CD45+ phenotyping in characterizing the severity of HIV infection and its impact on both the humoral and cellular immunity, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.

Antenatal Screening for Toxoplasmosis and Rubella in Saudi Arabia: Assessing the Need for Screening.

Objective: Antenatal screening programs are highly recommended to limit maternal and neonatal infections such as toxoplasmosis and rubella. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of maternal toxoplasma and rubella among pregnant women tested during antenatal screening at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study targeted pregnant women attending the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the period of 2019-2022 for antenatal follow-up. This study included 3653 pregnant women who attended an antenatal screening. The clinical consequences of pregnancy were evaluated and categorized into six main categories based on the related complications and comorbidities of the pregnant women. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program as a descriptive statistic, and an ANOVA was used to test the associations. Results: The study findings showed that 12% of women were seropositive for toxoplasmosis and 71.4% were seropositive for rubella, and it found that almost all women (except two) were seronegative for Toxo IgM (immunoglobulin M) and rubella IgM, which indicates the absence of recent infections during the pregnancy. Approximately 19% and 4% of women who had no comorbidities experienced complicated pregnancies and delivery, respectively. Moreover, 1.3% of the pregnant women had comorbidities, complicated pregnancies, and problems during delivery. The mean Toxo IgG level was significantly higher in women with normal pregnancies than in those with other pregnancies. Rubella immunoglobulin levels did not significantly correlate with pregnancy or delivery problems. Conclusion: The seropositivity prevalence of toxoplasma Ig M and rubella Ig M were very low at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, indicating absence of current infections. However, the benefits of routine antenatal screening in pregnant women remain unclear. This study was conducted at one hospital, with a limited sample of participants, and did not yield adequate evidence to recommend a broader implementation of antenatal testing for toxoplasmosis and rubella.

Development and Validation of a Three-Parameter Scoring System for Monitoring HIV/AIDS Patients in Low-Resource Settings Using Hematological Parameters.

Objective: This study aimed to test the validity of a composite score using complete blood count (CBC) for monitoring HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the absence of viral load and CD4 count. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the laboratory data of 82 HIV patients who had pre- and post-treatment viral load, CD4 count, and CBC data. Pre- and post-treatment data were pooled to analyze the correlation of CBC parameters with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) ranks and their performance in indicating a CD4 count<200 cells/mm3 using the Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC), with the determination of cutoffs. A score combining the significant parameters was tested to predict a CD4 count of <200. Results: Total lymphocyte count (TLC), percentage (TLP), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were the most significant parameters, showing negative correlations with PCR (Spearman's Rho = -0.357 to -0.242). The risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was independently associated with TLC<1345 cells/mm3 (OR=2.92), TLP<29.07% (OR=3.53), and Hb<10.55 mg/dL (OR=3.60). A combined score of 2-3 indicated a CD4 count<200 with an odds ratio of 8.3-86.7. Conclusion: The proposed 3-parameter score combining the use of TLC, TLP, and Hb, is an affordable and practical approach that may have clinical utility in monitoring HIV patients receiving ART in low-resource settings.

Is a Higher Body Mass Index a Risk Factor for Developing Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome?

BACKGROUND:  Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are antibodies directed against components of the cell membrane and can be associated with clinical features or be asymptomatic in 1-5% of the population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the frequency of aPL positivity based on body mass index (BMI). METHODS:  This is a retrospective analysis of all aPL testing done in a tertiary center between 2010 and 2020. The difference between patients with BMI <25, BMI 25-30, and BMI>30 is calculated using chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate for categorical variables and a two-sample t-test for numerical variables. Unadjusted then multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the effect of BMI on aPL positivity adjusting for age, thrombosis history, pregnancy complications history, and presence of autoimmune disease. Sex was included as an effect modifier. RESULTS:  Among 312 patients, the outcome (any positive aPL) was detected in 26 (20.8%), 13 (13.0%), and 16 (18.4%) patients with BMI groups: BMI <25, BMI 25-30, and BMI > 30, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression showed that those with BMI 25-30 had a lower risk of aPL positivity when compared to patients with BMI <25 (OR of 0.55 CI 0.25 - 1.14, p=0.116), and patients with BMI >30 also carried a lower risk compared with patients with BMI<25 (OR of 0.76, 95% CI 0.36 - 1.56, p=0.46); these results were not statistically significant. INTERPRETATION:  The results suggest that a higher BMI was not a risk factor for aPL positivity. A better understanding of the complex interactions between antiphospholipid antibodies and obesity should be further investigated.

The Immunodiagnostic Utility of Antinuclear Antibody Patterns: A Prediction for Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives Previous studies have noted associations between the immunofluorescence patterns of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) and the autoimmune responses seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis of whether ANA patterns predict renal involvement in SLE patients. Method A retrospective study was carried out on consecutive SLE patients who had ANA staining pattern data and who were screened for renal involvement defined as all-stage proteinuria or chronic kidney disease (CKD) at a referral tertiary center in western Saudi Arabia from December 2021 to February 2022. Demographic data and levels of lupus immune markers including ANA titers, anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (anti-dsDNA), complements C3 and C4, anticardiolipin (aCL) immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM, anti-ß2 glycoprotein (ß2-IgM and ß2-IgG), and lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies were collected. Result Among 243 patients included, 25.1% had renal involvement (95% confidence interval {CI}=19.8-31.0). A mixed ANA pattern was associated with a higher prevalence of renal involvement (46.2%), followed by homogenous (26.5%) and speckled (25.6%) patterns, compared with 4.5% for the other patterns (p=0.044). No further association of renal involvement was observed with other biological markers. Adjusted logistic regression showed age (odds ratio {OR}=0.95; 95% CI=0.92-0.97) and mixed ANA pattern (OR=26.66; 95% CI=2.53-281.11) to be independently associated with renal involvement, explaining 12.6% of the variance. Conclusion A mixed homogenous/speckled ANA staining pattern is associated with an increased risk of renal involvement, independent of ANA titer or other lupus immune markers. The potential clinical applications of the ANA staining pattern in SLE should be explored in various subtypes of SLE and patient groups.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Testing: An Audit on Testing Practices in a Public Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are antibodies directed against cell membrane components and can be associated with clinical features or be asymptomatic. Testing and interpreting these antibodies is associated with many challenges and pitfalls in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To review all antiphospholipid antibody testing and describe the testing practices, indications for testing and interpretation of results to infer local challenges with aPL testing and subsequently address ways to overcome those challenges. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all aPL testing done in a tertiary center between 2014 and 2018. Characteristics of study patients collected through chart review were described using the mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and proportion for categorical variables. Group differences were compared between patients with any aPL-positive result and those with no positive result using chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate for categorical variables and a simple regression model for numerical variables. RESULTS: Among 414 patients undergoing aPL testing, mainly adult females, 62 (14.9%) patients had at least one positive antibody, of those, 26 (42%) had repeat testing done. Testing was mostly done for obstetric indication (107, 25.8%), with 36 patients having one or two early pregnancy losses <10 weeks as their testing indication. A total of 27 (6.5%) patients were labeled with APS/possible APS based on chart review, but on review of the testing of those patients according to classification criteria, only nine patients satisfied the criteria for APS. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the clinical challenges associated with aPL testing, including the controversies around indication for testing, the low rates of repeat testing to confirm persistence, and the common misinterpretation of results. Having an aPL testing profile, explicit reference ranges, results commentary, and close interaction between ordering physicians and laboratory staff might be starting points to overcome these challenges.

Anti-Nuclear Antibodies Patterns in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Their Correlation With Other Diagnostic Immunological Parameters.

Background: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are major immunodiagnostic tools in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, their clinical and pathogenic roles are not yet elucidated and are a subject of controversy. Objectives: The aim of the study is to explore the pathogenic significance of ANA patterns among SLE patients, by analyzing their association with ANA titers, complement levels and other pathogenic immune markers, namely, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), complements C3 and C4, rheumatoid factor (RF), anticardiolipin antibodies IgG (ACL IgG) and IgM (ACL IgM), Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies (ß2-GP) IgG (ß2-IgM) and IgM (ß2-IgM), and lupus anticoagulant (LA). Method: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 495 SLE patients, who were diagnosed and classified by consultant rheumatologists according to the new European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2019 criteria. SLE immunodiagnostic profiles were analyzed including the following parameters: ANA antibody titers and staining patterns, anti-dsDNA, C3 and C4 levels, aCL, and anti-ß2-GP and LA. Result: The most frequently observed ANA patterns were the speckled (52.1%) and homogeneous (35.2%) patterns, while other patterns were rare representing less than 7% of the patients each. ANA titers were highest in patients with mixed pattern followed by the speckled pattern. Of all the investigated patterns, the peripheral pattern showed the most pathogenic immune profile, namely, highest levels of anti-dsDNA, lowest levels of C4, and highest levels of aCL and ß2-GP IgG and IgM. Conclusion: This retrospective study showed that speckled followed by homogeneous ANA patterns were predominant accounting for 52.1 and 35.2% of the patients. The ANA pattern showed several associations with other immune markers that are documented to have significant clinical implications in SLE. Peripheral, mixed, and speckled patterns were associated with higher profiles of immune markers indicative of a potential prognostic value of these patterns in SLE.

Pro-inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels and to assess the effect of short-term therapy using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Material and Methods: A prospective, open-label, controlled trial was conducted among clinically referred patients at risk for OSA undergoing diagnostic polysomnography (PSG). After PSG, the patients were divided into 3 groups: OSA treatment group (TG) (n=21), untreated OSA group (UOG) (n=19), and non-OSA healthy control group (HCG) (n=24). CRP and fibrinogen levels were measured at baseline and one month after treatment. Repeated-measures (RM) ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to compare changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels among the three groups by analyzing between-subject and within-subject effects as functions of time and adjusting for significant covariates. Results: At baseline, OSA subjects had significantly higher CRP [t(52.37)=-2.46, p=0.02)] and fibrinogen levels [t(57)=-2.00, p=0.05)] than HCG subjects. No significant differences in CRP levels [(F(2,58)=2.29, p=0.11)] or fibrinogen levels [(F(2, 58)=1.28, p=0.29)] emerged between TG and HCG subjects after adjusting for the pretest levels. Conclusion: CPAP therapy for one month does not affect CRP and fibrinogen levels among moderate-to-severe OSA patients. However, OSA is associated with elevated levels of these inflammatory biomarkers.

Putative associations between inflammatory biomarkers, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported increased levels of inflammatory mediators in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but their relation with the severity of OSA is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To address potential relationships between OSA-related inflammatory markers, namely, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and fibrinogen, with different oxygenation parameters and with BMI. METHODS: All eligible patients with suspected OSA newly referred to the Sleep Medicine Research Center at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, were evaluated demographically and anthropometrically, and underwent overnight polysomnography. Fasting morning blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen, TNF-α, and IL-6. Potential correlations between these inflammatory mediators and severity measures of OSA and body mass index (BMI) were explored. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients completed the study (40 with OSA and 24 without OSA). Significantly increased levels of CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6, and TNF-α emerged in patients with OSA compared to non-OSA. Significant associations between log CRP and log fibrinogen levels emerged with increasing BMI. However, there was no significant association between any of the inflammatory markers and the severity of OSA based on the apnea/hypopnea index or oxyhemoglobin saturation-derived parameters. CONCLUSIONS: OSA patients exhibit increased levels of inflammatory mediators that do not appear to be associated with polysomnographic measures, but exhibit positive correlation with the degree of adiposity.

Monitoring Specific IgM and IgG Production Among Severe COVID-19 Patients Using Qualitative and Quantitative Immunodiagnostic Assays: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The purpose of this study is to monitor specific anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) IgG and IgM antibody production in patients with severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using various commercially available quantitative and qualitative tests. The sera of 23 confirmed COVID-19 patients were processed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM detection. Three different immunoassays, viz. Abbott Architect® SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay, and two quantitative tests, ANSH® SARS-CoV-2 and AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein (NP), were performed and the results pooled, from diagnosis to serum collection. Seroconversion rates were computed for all 3 assays, and possible correlations were tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Overall, 70 combinations of qualitative and quantitative IgG and IgM results were pooled and analyzed. In the early phase (0-4 days after diagnosis), in all tests, IgG seroconversion rates were 43%-61%, and increased in all tests gradually to 100% after 15 days. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a strong positive relationship between the qualitative IgG test results and both quantitative IgG tests. IgM detection was inconsistent, with maximal concentrations and seroconversion rates between 10-15 days after diagnosis and slight-to-fair agreement between the two quantitative immunoassays. There was no significant association between mortality with IgG or IgM seroconversion or concentrations. Patients with severe COVID-19 develop an early, robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral immune response involving IgG immunoglobulins. Further comparative studies are warranted to analyze the value of serological testing in predicting the severity of COVID-19 and detecting prior exposure.

The utility of proinflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of recently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with TNF-α and IL-6 and to measure the effect of short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on these markers. METHODS: A prospective, open-label, controlled trial was conducted among patients referred for diagnostic polysomnography (PSG). After PSG, patients were divided into 3 groups: OSA intervention group (N = 21), OSA control untreated group (N = 19), and non-OSA control group (N = 24). IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured at baseline and 1 month after intervention. Repeated measures (RM) ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to compare the three groups regarding changes in TNF-α and IL-6 levels by analyzing between-subject and within-subject effects as a function of time and adjusting for significant covariates. RESULTS: At baseline, IL-6 (p = 0.05) and TNF-α (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the OSA patients than in the non-OSA controls. There was no effect of time either on the TNF-α (p = 0.069) or IL-6 (p = 0.717) after 1 month of CPAP. No interaction effect between group and time was found for either TNF-α (p = 0.240) or IL-6 (p = 0.552) after 1 month of CPAP. There was neither a group effect nor an interaction effect between group and time for either IL-6 or TNF α after adjusting for age, BMI, neck circumference, and AHI. CONCLUSION: This study showed increases in proinflammatory state as illustrated by plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels among recently diagnosed OSA patients, but there were no changes in these inflammatory markers following 1-month CPAP therapy.

Inappropriate practice in tumor marker requests at a university hospital in Western Saudi Arabia: A 3-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the level of appropriateness of tumor marker requests in a teaching hospital and estimated the financial cost associated with inappropriate use. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients' electronic records was conducted over a 3-year period (2015-2017) for tumor marker requests, including carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen (CA)15-3, CA125, CA19-9, and total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA and fPSA), along with the associated clinical data that motivated the requests. Inappropriate use was defined as tumor marker requests without any relevant clinical picture. Costs due to inappropriate tumor marker requests were estimated based on the unit costs applied in the institution. RESULTS: A total of 7128 patients had at least one tumor marker request between 2015 and 2017. The clinical picture that motivated tumor marker requests was absent in 71.5%, while 12.9% of the requests were associated with a malignancy. The most frequent prescribing pattern was total prostate-specific antigen alone (2128; 29.9%), followed by alpha-fetoprotein alone (1185; 16.6%), and carcinoembryonic antigen alone (506; 7.1%). Year-over-year analysis revealed an increasing tendency in requesting carcinoembryonic antigen and CA15-3. The rate of inappropriate use varied by tumor marker and ranged between 56.4% for fPSA and 86.8% for total prostate-specific antigen. The overall costs due to inappropriate tumor marker requests were estimated at $2,785,493 over the 3 years, representing an average of $0.93 million per year. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate use of tumor marker requests is a major issue regarding its high prevalence and the considerable associated costs. The role of laboratories in the management of tumor marker requests should be emphasized.

Deamidated gliadin peptide and tissue transglutaminase antibodies in children with coeliac disease: A correlation study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Serological tests for coeliac disease (CD) are important in the clinical diagnosis and monitoring of response to a gluten free diet (GFD). The tests differ in their sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. In this study, tissue transglutaminase (IgA) (tTG-IgA) antibody was compared with the deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP), of both IgG (DGP-IgG) and IgA (DGP-IgA) types, in patients with CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 2 years, between 2016 and 2018, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in children 18 years of age or younger with biopsy-proven CD. Patients' sera were tested for DGP-IgA, DGP-IgG, and tTG-IgA antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A Pearson correlation coefficient and Cohen's kappa coefficient were performed to analyse the serological tests. RESULTS: The study included 26 patients with CD, with a median age of 15 years (range, 5-18 years). Seventeen patients (65.4%) were males. The median disease duration was 5 years (range, 3-14 years). Fifteen patients (57.7%) reported good adherence to a GFD. The patients' serological tests showed a mean ± SD tTG-IgA titer of 149.8 ± 75 u/ml, a mean DGP-IgG titer of 62.5 ± 36.5, and a mean DGP-IgA of 32 ± 23.3 µ/ml. We found a significant correlation between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgG (r = 0.69, P < 0.001), tTG-IgA and DGP-IgA (r = 0.67, P < 0.001), and DGP-IgG and DGP-IgA (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) showed substantial agreement between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgG (k = 0.71, P < 0.001) and DGP-IgG and DGP-IgA (k = 0.69, P < 0.001), but moderate agreement between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgA (k = 0.45, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: We found a good correlation between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgG and tTG-IgA and DGP-IgA, and substantial agreement between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgG, but moderate agreement between tTG-IgA and DGP-IgA. These results indicate that DGP-IgG was comparable to tTG-IgA and may be useful as an alternative to tTG-IgA in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with CD.

Saudi children with celiac disease: are they at risk of developing type-1 diabetes mellitus?

Objectives Patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease (CeD) share the same genetic susceptibility alleles. The diabetes-associated autoantibodies (DAA) may be detected in CeD patients. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of DAA in children with CeD. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of children with CeD. The CeD patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (n=23) included patients with isolated CeD and group 2 included patients with combined T1DM and CeD. The study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in 2012-2014. DAA, including glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) and protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 antibodies (IA-2), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both groups. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected from the patients' medical charts. Results DAA were determined in 23 patients in group-1 and 18 patients in group-2. Group-1 comprised 43.5% males and 56.5% females; the mean age was 15 ± 3.7 years (with a range of 5-18 years). The prevalence of GADA and IA-2 was 69.6 and 4%, respectively. Group-2 comprised 55.6% males and 44.4% females; the mean age was 15.1 ± 2.8 years (with a range of 7-18 years). The prevalence of GADA and IA-2 was 66.7 and 22.2%, respectively. No significant differences were found between both groups in the prevalence of GADA (p=1.0) or IA-2 (p=0.15). Conclusions Saudi children with CeD have higher prevalence of GADA than reported in a number of other Western studies. Long-term follow-up data is required before recommending routine screening for DAA.

Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia.

Objective. To assess the diagnostic significance of total IgE in foods, inhalant, and multiple allergies. Methods. Retrospective review of the laboratory records of patients who presented with clinical suspicion of food or inhalant allergy between January 2013 and December 2014. Total IgE level was defined as positive for a value >195 kU/L; and diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of specific IgE (golden standard) for at least one food or inhalant allergen and at least two allergens in multiple allergies. Results. A total of 1893 (male ratio = 0.68, mean age = 39.0 ± 19.2 years) patients were included. Total IgE had comparable sensitivity (55.8% versus 59.6%) and specificity (83.9% versus 84.4%) in food versus inhalant allergy, respectively, but a superior PPV in inhalant allergy (79.1% versus 54.4%). ROC curve analysis showed a better diagnostic value in inhalant allergies (AUC = 0.817 (95% CI = 0.796-0.837) versus 0.770 (95% CI = 0.707-0.833)). In multiple allergies, total IgE had a relatively good sensitivity (78.6%), while negative IgE testing (<195 kU/L) predicted the absence of multiple allergies with 91.5% certitude. Conclusion. Total IgE assay is not efficient as a diagnostic test for foods, inhalant, or multiple allergies. The best strategy should refer to specific IgE testing guided by a comprehensive atopic history.

Co-infection assessment in HBV, HCV, and HIV patients in Western Saudi Arabia.

To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed coinfections among HIV, HBV, and HCV infected patients. Retrospective analysis of laboratory records for HIV, HBV, and HCV patients presenting at the HIV outpatient clinic. Serological data including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B e-antibody (anti-HBe), antibodies to HIV and HCV, anti-toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM antibodies, and anti-syphilis antibodies (VDRL) were collected. We obtained data for 628 (218 HCV, 268 HBV, and 142 HIV) patients. Male-to-female ratios were 1:1 for HCV, 3:4 for HBV, and 5:3 for HIV. Age means (SD) were 54.24 (16.40), 44.53 (18.83), and 40.39 (15.92) years for HCV, HBV, and HIV, respectively. In HIV group, the prevalence of HBV and HCV coinfections was 8.5% and 2.8%, respectively. In HBV group, the prevalence of HCV and HIV coinfections was 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively. In HCV group, HIV or HBV coinfections occurred at the same frequency (1.4%). An absence of screening for coinfections was detected in 7.0-48.5% patients as per the group and the infectious agent; which represents an estimated proportion of 20 out of 1,000 patients with an undiagnosed coinfection. Despite a relatively low prevalence of coinfections, a significant proportion of cases remain undiagnosed because of a lack of systematic screening. J. Med. Virol. 88:1545-1551, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Immunodiagnostic significance of anti-RA33 autoantibodies in Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

UNLABELLED: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunodiagnostic significance and utility of anti-RA33 with anti-CCP, RF, and CRP in Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: This was a prospective controlled clinical study conducted at King Abdul Aziz University Tertiary Medical Centre. The sera of 41 RA patients, 31 non-RA patients, and 29 healthy controls were collected. Anti-RA33 and anti-CCP were measured using commercially available ELISA principle kits. RF and CRP were measured using nephelometry. RESULTS: Anti-RA33 antibodies had the lowest positive and negative predictive values and showed a sensitivity of 7.32% with 95.12% specificity. Of the other three markers (including anti-CCP antibodies, CRP, and RF), only anti-CCP showed specificity of 90.46% with sensitivity of 63.41% compared to non-RA patients + healthy control. There was a significant correlation with rheumatoid factor positivity with anti-CCP. With respect to CRP, a notable correlation was seen only with anti-RA33. CONCLUSION: Compared to rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and C-reactive proteins, the anti-RA33 autoantibodies seem to be not representing as an important additional immunodiagnostic marker in Saudi patients with established RA. RA33 may have more interest in early RA or less severe RA and other systemic connective tissue disorders.

Serum Interleukin-33 level in Saudi children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a cytokine that belongs to the interleukin-1 family and has been shown to be associated with mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the serum level of IL-33 in children with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and to correlate the level with the disease progression. In this cross sectional prospective study, we enrolled 50 children with IBD from KAUH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and 34 healthy control subjects between June 2012 and December 2012. Serum IL-33 was assessed by ELISA and CRP by immunonephelometric assay. Results from our study showed 32 CD and 18 UC patients included. The median age was 13.5 years for CD patients, 11.9 years for UC patients and 11.2 years for controls. Females constituted 53%, 66.7% and 59% of CD, UC and control subjects respectively. The median serum IL-33 in UC patients of 55.5 pg/mL was significantly higher than the median IL-33 level of 41 pg/mL in the healthy control (P=0.04) but no significant difference was found between the median IL-33 level in the sera of CD and the control group (P=0.7). A higher median IL-33 level was also found in active disease (P=0.03). In our cohort, the serum level of IL-33 was positively correlated with hs-CRP (r=0.48, P < 0.001). To conclude, our results support that serum IL-33 level is increased in children with UC as compared with control. Serum level is correlated with the disease activity; therefore it could be used as a potential biomarker for monitoring the severity of the disease in children with UC.

Serological markers of inflammatory bowel disease in children from the Western region of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Serological markers including peri-nuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) have been reported in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of pANCA and ASCA antibodies in Saudi children with IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of children with IBD seen at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, between September 2002 and February 2012. RESULTS: The study included 131 patients with IBD (86 Crohn's disease (CD) and 45 ulcerative colitis (UC)) and 67 non-IBD control subjects. Females comprised 51% of CD, 60% of UC and 52% of non-IBD controls. The mean age was 10.7±5.2years for CD, 8.9±5years for UC, and 11.2±6.8years for the non-IBD controls. Positive ASCA-IgA and ASCA-IgG were detected in 35.8% and 35% of CD patients and in 5.8% and 3.7% of the non-IBD controls, respectively. The pANCA was detected in 28.9% of UC patients and in none of the non-IBD controls. The pANCA recognised the myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody in 36.4% of the patients with UC. No significant difference in the frequency of pANCA between extensive disease and disease limited to the rectosigmoid colon (p=0.48), and no significant difference in the ASCAs antibodies in patients with or without involvement of the terminal ileum (p=0.81). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ASCA and pANCA antibodies was low in Saudi children with IBD. Therefore, it may not be useful as a screening tool for IBD but it may be employed to aid the diagnosis in clinically suspected cases.