Impact of toll-like receptor 4 variations on nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk and survival in tunisian population.

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.

Serological screening for celiac disease, by endomysial antibodies, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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.

Association between genetic variants of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 and schizophrenia.

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.

IgA is the predominant isotype of anti-ß2 glycoprotein I in patients with COVID-19.

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.

Frequency of serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

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.

Anti-cardiolipin and anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with type 1 diabetes.

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.

Frequency of antithyroid antibodies in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

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.

Serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis and the vice versa: A Tunisian study.

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 ã€ˆ10-6). 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 ã€ˆ10-6). In PBC patients, RF were more frequent than CCP-Ab (64.3% vs. 15.7%; p ã€ˆ10-6). 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 ã€ˆ10-3); 0% for RF-IgA (p ã€ˆ10-6); and 6.2% for RF-IgM (p ã€ˆ10-6)). 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.

Anthropometry-Based Prediction Equation of Body Composition in a Population Aged 12-88 Years.

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.

Development and validation of anthropometric predictive equations that estimate the total body water and fat-free mass in Tunisian adults.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate equations that estimate total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) in adults using anthropometric measurements. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 adults (77 men and 101 women; aged 18-59 years). Participants were distributed by sex and age groups, and then randomly assigned to equal two groups; the development (n = 89) and the validation (n = 89). The anthropometric measurements included height and weight. The deuterium dilution technique (DDT) estimated TBW and FFM. Linear regression models were used with the TBW and FFM as the dependent variable, and height and weight as the independent variables. Cross-validation was performed by Bland and Altman plot, and the new anthropometric equations were developed. RESULTS: In the validation sample, the developed equations had high R2 of 94.4 for both TBW and FFM in all age groups, and low standard errors (RMSE: 1.80 kg for TBW and 2.44 kg for FFM). The pure error was 2.03 for the TBW equation and 2.71 for the FFM equation. The Bland-Altman plot illustrated the good level of concordance between the TBW and FFM predicted by the new equations as determined by DDT. The following developed equations showed a better agreement with the DDT: [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text]. CONCLUSION: In this study, we developed and validated prediction equations for the estimation of TBW and FFM from DDT in healthy adult Tunisian population. The newly anthropometric prediction equations seem to be the most accurate for Tunisian adult.

Anticardiolipin and anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with unexplained articular manifestations.

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.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in autoimmune thyroid diseases.

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.

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) have been described in many autoimmune diseases (AIDs). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could trigger AIDs. This study aimed to determine the frequency of ASCA in patients with COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 88 adult patients with severe COVID-19, 51 mild COVID-19, and 160 healthy blood donors. ASCA of isotype immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The frequency of ASCA (IgG or IgA) was significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (21.6 % vs 3.7 %, p < 10-3) and in patients with mild COVID-19 than in the healthy controls (13.7 % vs 3.7 %, p = 0.03). ASCA-IgA was significantly more frequent in patients with severe COVID-19 than in healthy controls (15.9 % vs 0.6 %, p < 10-3). ASCA-IgG was significantly more frequent in patients with mild COVID-19 than in healthy controls (13.7 % vs 3.1 %, p = 0.02). ASCA (IgG or IgA) were more frequent in severe than in mild COVID-19, but the difference was not statistically significant (21.6 % vs 13.7 %). ASCA-IgA was significantly more frequent in patients with severe than those with mild COVID-19 (15.9 % vs 0 %, p = 0.003). The mean ASCA-IgG and ASCA-IgA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than in healthy controls (5.8 U/mL ± 11.8 vs 2.3 U/mL ± 2.8, p < 10-3 and 9.2 U/mL ± 21.5 vs 3.4 U/mL ± 1.7, respectively, p < 10-3). The mean ASCA-IgG levels were significantly higher in patients with mild COVID-19 than in healthy controls (6.2 U/mL ± 12.9 vs 2.3 U/mL ± 2.8, p < 10-3). The mean ASCA-IgA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe than in those with mild COVID-19 (9.2 U/mL ± 21.5 vs 2.6 U/mL ± 1.2, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: ASCA was more frequent in patients with COVID-19 than in healthy controls.

External validation of a prediction model for estimating fat mass in children and adolescents in 19 countries: individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a UK based prediction model for estimating fat-free mass (and indirectly fat mass) in children and adolescents in non-UK settings. DESIGN: Individual participant data meta-analysis. SETTING: 19 countries. PARTICIPANTS: 5693 children and adolescents (49.7% boys) aged 4 to 15 years with complete data on the predictors included in the UK based model (weight, height, age, sex, and ethnicity) and on the independently assessed outcome measure (fat-free mass determined by deuterium dilution assessment). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome of the UK based prediction model was natural log transformed fat-free mass (lnFFM). Predictive performance statistics of R2, calibration slope, calibration-in-the-large, and root mean square error were assessed in each of the 19 countries and then pooled through random effects meta-analysis. Calibration plots were also derived for each country, including flexible calibration curves. RESULTS: The model showed good predictive ability in non-UK populations of children and adolescents, providing R2 values of >75% in all countries and >90% in 11 of the 19 countries, and with good calibration (ie, agreement) of observed and predicted values. Root mean square error values (on fat-free mass scale) were <4 kg in 17 of the 19 settings. Pooled values (95% confidence intervals) of R2, calibration slope, and calibration-in-the-large were 88.7% (85.9% to 91.4%), 0.98 (0.97 to 1.00), and 0.01 (-0.02 to 0.04), respectively. Heterogeneity was evident in the R2 and calibration-in-the-large values across settings, but not in the calibration slope. Model performance did not vary markedly between boys and girls, age, ethnicity, and national income groups. To further improve the accuracy of the predictions, the model equation was recalibrated for the intercept in each setting so that country specific equations are available for future use. CONCLUSION: The UK based prediction model, which is based on readily available measures, provides predictions of childhood fat-free mass, and hence fat mass, in a range of non-UK settings that explain a large proportion of the variability in observed fat-free mass, and exhibit good calibration performance, especially after recalibration of the intercept for each population. The model demonstrates good generalisability in both low-middle income and high income populations of healthy children and adolescents aged 4-15 years.

Frequency of serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with IgA anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies.

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.

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Eighty-three RA patients with positive anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti-CCP) and 160 healthy blood donors were included in this study. ASCA IgG and IgA were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The frequency of ASCA was significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy subjects (22.9% vs 3.7%, P < 10-3). Both ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA were significantly more frequent in RA patients than in the control group (20.5% vs 3.1%, P < 10-3and 9.6% vs 0.6%, P = .002, respectively). ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy subjects (7.8 ±â€…8.4 U/mL vs 2.3 ±â€…2.8 U/mL, P < 10-6 and 6.2 ±â€…10.9 U/mL vs 3.4 ±â€…1.7 U/mL, P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSION: A high frequency of ASCA IgG and ASCA IgA has been found in RA patients.

IgA anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have been reported not only in various autoimmune conditions but also in other infections, such as chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of aPL in patients with CHC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-six CHC patients and 90 healthy blood donors (HBD) were studied. Fifty-three of the patients were under treatment, and 43 had not yet received any treatment. IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against cardiolipin (aCL) and beta-2 glycoprotein I (aß2GPI) were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: We found that the frequency of aPL (aCL and/or aß2GPI) was significantly higher in CHC patients than in controls (51% vs 11.1%, p <10-6). The frequencies of aCL and aß2GPI were significantly higher in patients than in HBD (27.1% vs 5.5%, p < 10-3, and 44.8% vs 11.1%, p < 10-6, respectively). The isotype distribution of aCL and aß2GPI demonstrated that aCL-IgG and aß2GPI-IgA were more frequent in patients than in healthy subjects (21.9% vs 2.2%, p < 10-3, and 38.5% vs 7.8%, p < 10-6, respectively). In CHC patients, the frequency of aß2GPI was significantly higher than that of aCL (44.8% vs 27.1%, p = 0.01). aß2GPI-IgA was significantly more frequent than aß2GPI-IgG (38.5% vs 7.3%, p <10-6), aß2GPI-IgM (38.5% vs 9.4%, p <10-3), and aCL-IgG (38.5% vs 21.9%, p = 0.01). No difference in aPL frequency was observed between the treated and untreated patients. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the findings of this study, aPL, particularly aß2GPI-IgA and aCL-IgG, are frequent in CHC patients.

Anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies in primary biliary cholangitis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 autoantibodies in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sera of 106 PBC patients with positive anti-mitochondrial antibodies and 58 healthy blood donors were analyzed. A line immunoassay was used to evaluate the reactivity of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies. RESULTS: The frequency of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 autoantibodies was 29.2% and 28.3%, respectively. Eight patients had both anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies. Of 106 patients, 23 (21.7%) had anti-gp210 antibody, although not anti-Sp100 antibody, and 22 (20.7%) had anti-Sp100, although not anti-gp210 antibodies. Their combination increased the frequency of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies from 29.2% to 50% (P = 0.002) and 28.3% to 50% (P = 0.0012), respectively. In the control group, two subjects had anti-gp210 antibody and none had anti-Sp100 antibody. Thus, the specificity of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies was 96.5% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) of anti-gp210 antibody was 94%; its negative predictive value (NPV) was 42.7%. The PPV and NPV of anti-Sp100 antibody were 100% and 43.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is important to combine anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies in the immunological exploration of PBC.

Relevance of body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. deuterium dilution technique to assess excess of fat among young adults.

Our study aimed to assess the nutritional status by using body composition among young Tunisian adults through three measurement methods: body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and deuterium oxide dilution technique (2H2O) and to determine the accuracy of BMI and BIA in order to evaluate the overweight and obesity among young adults in Tunisia. Our study involved 144 young adults. Anthropometric parameters were measured. The fat mass percentage (%FM) was determined by 2H2O and BIA techniques. The analysis of deuterium enrichment was performed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). According to BMI, 26.4% of subjects were overweight and 5.5% were obese. The mean of %FM estimated by BIA was significantly higher than that determined by 2H2O (29.7 ± 7.7 vs. 26.3 ± 10.6, p < .0001). Consequently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity assessed by BIA was significantly higher than by 2H2O (51.4% vs. 34%, p < .0001). Using BMI, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar to that estimated by 2H2O (31.9% vs. 34%, p = 0.544). Compared to 2H2O, BIA overestimates the prevalence of overweight and obesity in young adults. On the other hand, the BMI showed an interesting correlation with the %FM determined by 2H2O.

IgA is the predominant isotype of anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

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.