Possible role of streptokinase-induced delayed hypersensitivity and eosinophilia in pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis.

ABSTRACT

Present study relates to the results of investigations on 16 patients with Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Age of the patients ranged from 16 to 44 (median 25) years. Male female ratio was 4.31. Sacroileitis was detected in all the patients. Seven patients each had stage 1 and 2 disease. Two other patients had stage 3 disease. Lower mean Hb per cent was detected among patients as compared to control groups. Twelve of 16 (75 per cent) patients had eosinophilia. HLA-B27 antigen was detected in 10 of 16 (62.5 per cent) patients. Streptokinase-induced delayed sensitivity was detected in 10 of 16 (62.5 per cent) patients. Anti-streptolysin 'O' antibodies were detected in 2 of 16 patients' sera. Moderate negative correlation was found between the size of induration of skin test and haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.05). Possibly, delayed hypersensitivity might induce both eosinophilia as well as anaemia among AS patients.