Study of antibodies to B2-glycoprotein I, protein C and protein S as markers of arterial and venous thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

In order to clarify the association between antibodies to phospholipidbinding plasma protein particularly; B2-glycoprotein I, protein C and protein S and thrombotic complications in systemic lupus erythematosus patients [SLE], 42 patients with SLE were selected and 10 healthy subjects were also included as a control group, their age and sex matched with our patients. The Anti phospholipid antibodies [APL Abs] were measured by an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA] system. The thrombotic events were determined by venography, arteriography, dopler ultrasound, computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonant image [MIR]. Our result showed that all types of IgG APL Abs were detected in SLE patients [30% for anti-B2-Glycoprotein I, 21% for anti-protein C and 28% for anti-protein S], thrombotic events were detected in 12 of SLE patients [7 arterial and 5 venous]. The prevalence of LA and aCL were significantly higher in SLE patients with thrombosis than in those without thrombosis [P < 0.01], but there was non significant change between the prevalence of LA and aCL in patients with arterial and venous thrombosis [P> 0.05]. Concentration and prevalence of anti-B2-GPI was significantly higher in patients with arterial thrombosis than in those with venous thrombosis [P< 0.01]. The concentration and prevalence of anti-protein C and anti-protein S Abs were significantly higher in patients with venous thrombosis than in those with arterial thrombosis [P < 0.01]. There was non significant change in disease activity score between SLE patients with and without thrombotic events. There was significant correlation between the concentration of anti-B2-GPI Abs and aCL [r = 6.86, P < 0.01] and significant correlation between the concentration of Anti-protein C and Anti-protein S Abs [r = 0.66, P < 0.01]. We concluded that, anti-B2-GPI Abs, anti-protein C and anti-protein S Abs may play a differential role in thrombotic complications where anti-B2-GPI Abs may be associated primarily with arterial thrombosis and anti-protein C and/or anti-protein S Abs may be associated primarily with venous thrombosis

Helicosacter pylori and chlamydia pneumonial in coronary heart diseases

The effect of infection by Chlamydia pneumoniae [C. pneumoniae] and Helicobacter pylori [H pylori] on patients with coronary heart diseases [CHD] was investigated. 40 patients: 20 suffered from acute myocardial infarction [AMI] [Group I] and 20 suffered from angina [Group II] were selected as patient groups. 20 clinically healthy persons of the same age were selected as acontrol group [Group III] - The patient groups were sub-grouped according to the most important risk factors for CHD [smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia]. The level of C.pneurnoniae IgG and IgM and H.pylori IgG were detected in the sera of the three groups. It was found that C.pneumoniae IgG was positive in 18%, 14%, and 4% with mean titre 364. 8, 380.7, 12.8 [in groups I, II, and III respectively] which was significantly higher in group I and II than group IlI C.pneumoniae IgM was negative in groups I and III, while it was positive in 15% of group II with mean the 275.6 with a statistical significance among the three groups. H.pylori IgG was positive in 60%. 50%, and 45% with mean concentration 312.2, 315.4, and 151.3 on groups I, II, and III [respectively] with insignificant difference among the three groups. As regards to smoking status, C.pneumoniae IgG was higher in smokers than in non-smokers in groups I and II with significant difference in group I only. C.pneumoniae IgM was insignificant in both groups. H.pyloni IgG was high in smokers in both groups with non significant difference. Concerning blood pressure, C.pneumoniae IgG, IgM and H.pylori IgG in both groups were high in hypertensives with no significant relation amoung them. As regards to cholesterol level, the mean titres of C.pneumoniae IgG and IgM were high in hypercholesterolaemic patients in both groups with no significant relation among them, while the mean concentration of H.pylori IgG was high in hypercholesterolaemics in both groups with a significant difference in group I only. We concluded that, infection with C. pneumoniae and to leeser extent H. pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of CHD and their treatment may enhance the recovery of the disease