Human parvovirus B 19 antibody among arthropathic patients with special emphasis on sickle cell diseases in Basrah

This is a case-controlled study conducted during the period from October 2006 till September 2007 in Basrah, with its aim being to estimate the overall prevalence of Human parvovirus B19 [HPV-B19] antibodies and their association to rheumatoid factor seropositivity among sickler/non-sickler arthropathic patients. A total of 182 blood samples were collected from arthropathic patients attending the clinics of orthopaedic/rheumatology, clinic of internal medicine, Basrah General Hospital, Hemoglobinopathies Center at the Maternity and Children Hospital. The patients include 90 arthropathic patients with or without Sickle Cell Diseases [SCD] and 92 samples from control group. HPV-B19 IgG antibodies were serologically detected by an Enzyme-Linked Imrnuno-Sorbent Assay [ELISA] and rheumatoid factor was detected by Latex agglutination test. The overall prevalence of HPV-B19 antibody in Basrah general population was 68.7%. The prevalence rate of antibodies among arthropathic patients in general was 76.9% but it was lower in arthropathic patients with SCD; 65.8%. These differences were statistically not significant [p>0.05] compared to control group. Eighty percent of individuals who had rheumatoid factor positive results were positive for HPV-B19 antibodies which indicate a significant association [P<0.05]. The seropositivity to HPV-B19 was increased with age. Small joints were the commonest site of manifestation which represents 78.1%, whether in a symmetrical [69.8%] or an asymmetrical pattern [74.5%]. HPV-B19 antibodies were significantly more [79.7%] among persons with history of blood transfusion compared to those with no such history [P<0.05]. However, the types of SCD had no significant effect on the prevalence of HPV-B19 antibodies [P>0.05]. There was a positive relation between HPV-B19 seropositivity and the duration of illness [p<0.05]. In conclusions, HPV-B19 is common with high prevalence in our region; there is a clear association between HPV-B19 infection and rheumatoid factor positivity. Individuals with sickle cell diseases, regardless of its type, and those with a history of blood transfusion were considered risk groups for acquiring HPV-B19 infections

Specific circulating Schistosomal immune complexes among children with arthropathy

Sixty children were chosen from Pediatrics Department of Zagazig University and 14 age-matched healthy children were chosen to be included in this study.The children were classified into 4 groups: The first group consisted of 28 children infected with active schistosomiasis and arthoropathy; the second group included 18 children with schistosomiasis only without arthoropathy; the third group included 14 children suffering from arthoropathy without schistosomiasis.The fourth group consisted of 14 apparently healthy children and served as a control group. A significant high percentage positivity of specific circulating schistosomal immune complexes was found among the group of schistosomal arthoropathy versus the other groups. Moreover, a significant higher mean optical density readings was found among the same group of schistosomal arthoropathy. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between percentage positivity of CIC and intensity of infection was recorded. From these results it appears that schistosomiasis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of arthoropathy among children. Moreover, ELISA assay, using monoclonal antibody, is a highly sensitive test in detecting specific CIC in children with schistosomiasis

Specific circulating Schistosomal immune complexes among children with arthropathy

Sixty children were chosen from Pediatrics Department of Zagazig University and 14 age-matched healthy children were chosen to be included in this study. The children were classified into 4 groups: The first group consisted of 28 children infected with active schistosomiasis and arthropathy; the second group included 18 children with schistosomiasis only without arthoropathy; the third group included 14 children suffering from arthropathy without schistosomiasis. The fourth group consisted of 14 apparently healthy children and served as a control group. A significant high percentage positivity of specific circulating schistosomal immune complexes was found among the group of schistosomal arthoropathy versus the other groups. Moreover, a significant higher mean optical density readings was found among the same group of schistosomal arthoropathy. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between percentage positivity of CIC and intensity of infection was recorded. From these results it appears that schistosomiasis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of arthoropathy among children. Moreover, ELISA assay, using monoclonal antibody, is a highly sensitive test in detecting specific CIC in children with schistosomiasis

Tarsitis anquilosante

La tarsitis anquilosante en una entidad recientemente descrita, perteneciente al grupo de las espondiloartropatías seronegativas relacionadas con el HLA-B27, la cual puede hacer parte de la espondilitis anquilosante o presentarse como una condición aislada. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 25 años con historia conocida de 11 años de evolución con un cuadro clínico característico de la enfermedad, siendo el primer caso informado en Colombia. Se describe además la técnica de Harris, como un método radiológico simple de ayuda para el diagnóstico de la entidad

Sistema H.L.A y enfermedades articulares / HLA system and joint diseases

Las asociaciones entre los antígenos del sistema HLA y las enfermedades reumatológicas se refieren especialmente al antígeno HLA-B27 el que está fuertemente ligado a la espondiloartritis anquilosante: al síndrome de Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter; a las artritis reactivas y a los reumatismos axiales de las enterocolonopatías inflamatorias crónicas y de la psoriasis. Existen igualmente, correlaciones entre otros antígenos HLA y el reumatismo psoriásico periférico; la artritis reumatoidea del adulto y del niño; el síndrome de Gougerot-Sjögren y la enfermedad de Behcet. Las proyecciones prácticas, diagnósticas y pronósticas, de estas alteraciones se analizan y comentan

Aspectos imunológicos do complemento e fraçåo C'2 em cåes com artropatia experimental / Imunologic aspects of total complement and fraction C'2 in dogs having experimental arthropathy

Os autores estudaram o estabelecimento da artropatia em cåes, a partir do preparo de uma imunoglobulina antisinovial em coelhos. A imunoglobulina purificada e esterilizada foi usada em articulaçÆes de cåes sadios. O sangue destes animais foi colhido antes das inoculaçÆes, servindo como controle normal. Um esquema de inoculaçÆes foi estabalecido. A cada nova inoculaçåo os cåes foram sangrados e de seus sangues dosados o complemento total e a fraçåo C'2. A dosagem do complemento total foi feita de acordo com o método gráfico, retificado segundo a equaçåo de von KROGH e a fraçåo C'2, segundo o método de BORSOS, RAPP & MAYER (1961). Os animais com lesÆes artropáticas estabelecidas foram estudados radiológica e histologicamente. As lesÆes apresentaram rarefaçåo óssea e destruiçåo tecidual evidente. O nível do complemento total e da fraçåo C'2 nåo foi estatisticamente diferente do controle