Comparative investigation in detection of anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies in diagnosis of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to compare the detection of anti-ribosomal P antibodies in SLE patients by western blotting and ELISA. Additionally, we examined the association between cerebral lupus and anti-ribosomal P antibodies using these techniques. Thirty-two of consecutive patients with SLE diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were included in this study. These patients were either outpatient attenders or inpatients of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department as well as the Internal Medicine Department of El-Minia University Hospital. Anti ribosomal P antibodies were investigated in patients serum by immuno blotting and Enzyme-Linked Immnuo Sorbant Assay [ELISA] techniques. Neuropsychiatric manifestation systemic lupus erythematosus [NPLSLE] were diagnosed in 81.7% of SLE cases. 16 cases [50%] had neuropsychiatric manifestation. Psychiatric manifestations were found in 6 cases [18.8%], whileneurological manifestations were found only in only 4 cases [12.5%]. On measuring anti ribosomal P antibodies in patients serum by using western blotting, they were detected in 7 cases [21.9%], while by using ELISA technique, they were detected in only 5 cases [15.6%]. Among 18 patients suffered from mood disorders, anti-ribosomal antibodies were detected in 7 cases [38.1%] by using immuno blotting, whereas by ELISA only 5 cases [24.8%] were identified. Among 10 cases, which were suffered from cognitive dysfuntions, anti ribosomal P antibodies were detected in only 2 cases [20%] by using ELISA and by immune blotting techniques. In each of anxiety disorders and psychosis, in only 1 case [50%], anti ribosomal P antibodies were detected by the use of both techniques. Among patients with headache complications, 4 from 16 cases [25%] serum samples were found positive for the presence of anti ribosomal P antibodies using western blotting, whereas ELISA detected just 2 positive samples [12.5%]. From 5 cases presented by seizures, 1 positive serum sample [20%] for anti-ribosomal P antibodies were detected using both techniques. In conclusion, immuno blotting is much more detectable technique in comparison with ELISA for detection of anti P ribosomal antibodies in the serum of patients with SLE