Subject(s)
Alleles , HLA-DRB1 Chains/genetics , Haplotypes , Pemphigus/ethnology , Pemphigus/genetics , Adult , Aged , Arabs , Case-Control Studies , Egypt , Female , Gene Expression , Gene Frequency , Germany , HLA-DRB1 Chains/classification , HLA-DRB1 Chains/immunology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pemphigus/immunology , Pemphigus/pathology , White PeopleABSTRACT
Studies have indicated an association between psoriasis and coeliac disease (CD), an immune-mediated gluten-dependent enteropathy; however, the precise relationship between psoriasis and CD remains controversial. We aimed to assess the prevalence of the CD-associated IgA antibodies antigliadin antibody (AGA), tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and antiendomysium antibody (EMA) in patients with psoriasis. In total, 41 patients with psoriasis and 41 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken from all participants, and screened for AGA, tTG and EMA. We found a significantly higher level of AGA in patients with psoriasis than in controls, but levels of tTG and EMA were not significant. There was also a significantly higher prevalence of AGA, tTG and EMA in the patient group (34.1%, 34.1% and 14.6%, respectively) than in the control group (2.4%, 22% and 4.9%, respectively). We conclude that the significantly high prevalence of AGA antibodies in patients with psoriasis supports the possibility of a link between psoriasis and gluten-sensitive enteropathies, especially CD.
Subject(s)
Autoantibodies/blood , Gliadin/immunology , Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/immunology , Psoriasis/immunology , Transglutaminases/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Child , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin A/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nail changes in leprotic patients are not specific to leprosy, and may be observed in other peripheral neuropathies. Diabetes is one of the diseases that present with nail dystrophy secondary to peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, trauma and infections. Therefore, nail changes in diabetic neuropathy are expected to be very similar to that of leprosy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency and pattern of nail changes in Egyptian leprotic patients with the different spectrums of the disease, and to compare nail changes in leprosy with those seen in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: The study included 115 leprosy patients and 60 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nail examination was thoroughly carried out and various nail changes were recorded including the location of the involved nails (fingers, toes). RESULTS: Our study detected similar incidence of nail changes in both multibacillary (MB) (86%) and paucibacillary (PB) patients (86%). Flag sign (alternating horizontal bands of whitish and pinkish discoloration of the nail) observed in our study was not reported before. It was more commonly seen in MB patients (21%) than in PB patients (14%). Our results also revealed that the nail changes were more commonly seen in leprosy patients (86%) than in diabetic patients (68%). CONCLUSION: Nail changes in leprosy are multifactorial, and could be related to one or more of the following: neuropathy, endarteritis, trauma, drugs or superimposed infections. Nail changes in leprosy may be used as an additional clue that helps in the diagnosis.
