Anti-streptolysin O, antinuclear antibodies and serum complement C3 level in glomerulonephritis

Anti-streptolysin 0 [ASO], anti-nuclear [ANA] antibodies and complement C [3] concentration were investigated in a total of 200 patients with glomerulonephritis [GN]. Abnormally high levels of Aso were found in 46% of patients with acute GN compared to 16% in chronic GN and 22% in end stage renal failure [ESRF], the mean +/- SD values among the 3 groups of patients and the control group were 336 +/- 329, 129 +/- 62, 140 +/- 89 and 132 +/- 50 respectively. The increase in Aso level in acute GN was statistically significant P < 0.01. Among the 50 patients with acute GN only 2 [4%] had antinuclear antibodies. ANA were also found in 8% and 5% of chronic GN and ESRF respectively. Hypocomplementaemia was found in 70% in acute GN compared to 42% in chronic GN and 18% in ESRF. Hypercomplementaemia was found in 44% in ESRF but in more of acute GN. Only those with acute GN had significant drop in the complement serum levels [mg/dL] P < 0.01

Hepatitis A virus infection in patients and normals

The role of hepatitis A virus [HAV] was investigated in 107 patients with acute viral hepatitis at different ages.Specific IgM antibodies to HAV was detected in 20% of the cases using ELIZA. The highest [50%] incidence however was found among those aged from 1 to 5 years, then the incidence decreased as age increased. All the patients had abnormal liver functions with no special pattern for HAV infection. Another 70 apparently healthy age and sex matched control subjects were screened for the presence of specific IgG antibody to HAV by Elisa. Positive results were obtained in 94%, 97% and 100% of those below 5 years, between 5 and 15 and above 15 years respectively. These findings suggested that exposure to HAV in Egypt occured very early in life