Quantification of serum IgA of coeliac disease patients

Celiac disease [CD] is a gluten - induced multi - organ disorder where small intestine is the primary target of inflammation. Onset of CD may occur at any age and its symptoms vary among individuals. Definitive diagnosis of CD is by intestinal biopsy but determination of anti - IgA tissue transglutaminase [tTG] and anti-gliadin antibodies has become key factors to decide for tissue biopsy. IgA - deficient CD patients may yield false - negative results, therefore total serum IgA level must be determined along with other serological markers to diagnose CD. The study included 42 CD patients who were positive for anti-tTg antibodies [Group A] and 40 subjects [Group B: disease control] presented with gastrointestinal complaints but were negative for anti-tTG antibodies. On the basis of age, Group A was further divided into: Sub-group- I comprised of patients between 1-6 years [n = 31] and Sub-group - II consisted of patients between 7-15 years [n=11]. Level of serum IgA was determined by nephlometry technique. Total serum IgA level was 38.77 +/- 31.21 mg/dl and 26.88 +/- 28.27 mg/ dl in CD patients and disease control group respectively and the difference in the level of serum IgA between these groups was not statistically significant [p=0.75]. Mean IgA level in sub-group -I and sub-group- II was 40.85 +/- 33.29 mg/dl and 32.92 +/- 24.85 mg/dl respectively and the difference in the level of serum IgA between these sub-groups was not statistically significant [p = 0.47]. In Group - A, mean level of IgA in males and females was 42.38 +/- 38.02 mg/dl and 34.41 +/- 20.36 mg/dl respectively and the difference in the level of IgA level was not statistically significant between these groups [p = 0.41]. Selective IgA deficiency [SIgAD] was found in CD and in patients of other gastrointestinal complaints. In order to detect CD in SIgAD, total serum IgA level should also be performed with IgG - antigliadin or IgG-anti-tTG antibodies

Detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in healthy subjects

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] are Gram - negative microaerophilic, spiral organisms. Factors such as family history of gastric disease, source of drinking water, number of siblings, sharing beds, and level of hygiene have been linked to acquisition of H. pylori infection. Most of the infected people do not have clinical symptoms. The study was planed to determine the level of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies in the serum of healthy individuals. The study included 80 healthy subjects and was conducted in the Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences Lahore. The studied population was divided on the basis of [a] eating food from outside home daily, twice a week or once a week, [b] using filtered or tap water for drinking, and [c] having family history of gastric ulcer or without family history of gastric ulcer. Level of anti H.pylori IgG antibody was determined by ELISA technique. Among 80 asymptomatic healthy individuals anti-H pylori IgG antibody was detected in 28 [35% subjects who did not have these antibodies [p-value < 0.001]. Mean level of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies was 43 +/- 39.3 U/ml, 30.7 +/- 37.3 U/ml and 14.9 +/- 19.7 U/ml in subjects eating food from outside their homes once a week, twice a week and daily respectively. Statistically significant difference was observed in the level of H. pylori antibodies with different eating habits [p = 0.015]. However no statistically significant difference was observed in the level of anti-H. pylori antibodies between two genders, individuals using tap water and filtered water for drinking and with family history of gastric ulcer