High prevalence of a variety of autoantibodies in a population of hepatitis C virus-infected individuals.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been related to self-reactivity, extrahepatic manifestations and autoimmune diseases. The main goals of this work were to study the prevalence of autoantibodies and their relationship with viral titers and biochemical markers of hepatic damage in patients infected with HCV. Autoantibodies (ANA, AMA, SMA, APC, LKM, DNAds, ANCA, ATG and RF) were determined in 73 individuals with chronic HCV infection and 44 healthy volunteers. The presence of these antibodies was related to demographic variables, viral titers and biochemical parameters. A high prevalence of autoantibodies, particularly for RF, that was associated with female gender was observed in HCV-infected patients. In addition, SMA, ANA and ATG showed increased frequencies in HCV infection. Interestingly, the concurrent detection of SMA and more than one autoantibody was associated with high gGT levels. Notably, concurrent higher gGT, HCV and SMA levels were observed in male patients as compared to their female counterparts. These results indicate a relationship between HCV infection and the concurrent detection of various autoantibodies in the absence of symptoms of autoimmune diseases. They also suggest a link among the presence of a variety of autoantibodies simultaneously with SMA, increased gGT levels and HCV titers in a population of male patients.

Diagnóstico genético de la fibrosis quística: una experiencia provincial de 10 años, Mendoza, Argentina / Genetic diagnosis of cystic fibrosis: a 10-year provincial experience, Mendoza, Argentina

OBJETIVOS: El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo presentar el perfil genético de enfermos fibroquísticos de la Provincia de Mendoza. Pacientes y método: Se estudiaron 105 pacientes derivados del Centro de Fibrosis Quística con diagnóstico clínico o test del sudor positivo. TÉCNICA: INNO-LIPA-CFTR 19 e INNOLIPACFTR17; amplificación genómica mediante PCR multiplex con sondas alelo-específicas. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 18 mutaciones diferentes causantes de fibrosis quística. El 33,3% corresponde a la F508del; N1303K = 8,5%; G542X = 6,2%; W122X = 3,3%. Se detectó la mutación “africana” 3.120 + 1G > A en el 2,8% de los casos. CONCLUSIÓNES: nuestra prevalencia y espectro de mutaciones en fibrosis quística difieren de otras publicadas en el país. El hallazgo de mutaciones reportadas con mayor frecuencia en países africanos sugiere que nuestra población tiene influencias étnicas diferentes. Se discuten las imprecisiones diagnósticas que han generado en pequeños grupos de enfermos los nuevos avances de laboratorio en genética: enfermos “SMAF-Q Y PAF-Q” (explicación en el texto).

OBJECTIVE: To present the genetic background of Cystic Fibrosis Patients from the Province of Mendoza, Argentina. Patients and method: 105 patients were studied during 10 years. referred from a Cystic Fibrosis Center to the genetic laboratory. Cystic Fibrosis phenotype and /or abnormal sweat test were the referral reasons. TECHNIQUE: INNO-LIPA-CFTR19 and INNOLIPA CFTR 17, genome amplification through PCR multiplex with allele specific probes were used. RESULTS: 18 different mutations were detected F508 del frequency was 33.3%; N1303K: 8.5%; G542X: 6.2%; W122X: 3.3%. The “African” mutation 3120 + 1G > A was found in 2.8% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our prevalence of Cystic Fibrosis mutations differs markedly from others reported in our Country. African mutation detection suggests a different ethnic origin for our population. We discuss a small group of patients where genetic studies seem to have created diagnostic difficulties (metabolic syndrome and cystic fibrosis associated pathology).

Pesquisa neonatal en fibrosis quística: un modelo de coordinación multidisciplinaria. ha llegado la hora de los centros de fibrosis quística / Cystic fibrosis screening: amultidisciplinary coordinationapproach. the time for cysticfibrosis centers has arrived

Introducción. La pesquisa neonatal para fibrosis quística ha demostrado su utilidad en el diagnóstico precoz con mejoría en nutrición, función pulmonar y cognición. Se coordinaron dos centros para la medición de los valores de TIR y diagnóstico de fibrosis quística, usando un algoritmo tradicional y uno adaptado para mejorar resultados previos sin coordinación. Método. Se presentan datos del período pre-coordinación donde no hubo diagnósticos de FQ a partir de TIR. Se detallan datos del período coordinado, que aun no siendo cronológica ni numéricamente igual al anterior, muestran resultados totalmente distintos. Para TIR se utilizó DELFIA y para test de sudor iontoforesis por pilocarpina. Resultados. Período pre-coordinación entre centros (enero de 2005 a febrero de 2010): se realizaron 18.732 determinaciones de TIR. 74 fueron TIR (+). No hubo diagnósticos de FQ por problemas de seguimiento. Período coordinado: desde el 1° de marzo de 2010 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2011. Se realizaron 41.142 determinaciones de TIR. Se encontró TIR elevado en la 1ª muestra en 91 niños (0,22%). Se diagnosticaron 4 fibroquísticos por medio de los algoritmos presentados. Conclusiones. En 71 RN seguidos efectivamente con TIR positivo, se diagnosticaron 4 FQ en el período coordinado. Disminuyó la edad media al diagnóstico de 4,54 años a 2,5 meses (aún pocos casos) y la cantidad de perdidos al seguimiento bajó de 36,95 % a 15,90%. Estas cifras sugieren un resultado positivo producto de la integración y centralización de los sistemas como lo cita toda la literatura.

Introduction. Neonatal screening in cystic fibrosis has shown to be an important tool for early diagnosis, better nutrition, diminished lung function and cognitive development. Our laboratory and CF Center were coordinated for IRT screening and diagnosis. We used a standard and a modified algorithm to improve previous results of an uncoordinated period. Method. IRT-IRT-sweat test algorithms was implemented using Dissociation-Enhanced Lanthanide Fluroimmunoassay (DELFIA) for IRT, and pilocarpine iontophoresis for sweat test. Pre-coordination period data are also presented (January 2005 - February 2010) when follow up was difficult .Details for the coordinated period are presented although no statistical comparisons are intended since the number of patients and time-periods studied were completely different. Results. a) pre-coordination period: 18,732 IRT measurements were done. 74 positive IRT tests were detected. No CF diagnosis was made by IRT screening due to problems with follow-up. Only 3 CF patients were diagnosed by genetic studies requested only due to clinical symptoms. b) Coordinated period (March 2010 to December 2011): 41,142 IRT samples were analized. 91 positive first sample IRT detected (0.22%). 71 patients remained for effective follow-up. Four CF diagnosis were made by the algorithm IRT screening-sweat test. Conclusions. In 71 remaining patients after first IRT positive result, CF was diagnosed in four patients. Mean age of diagnosis diminished from 4.54 years to 2.5 months although numbers are small for definitive conclusions. These figures suggest that positive results are the result of coordination and centralization in the CF Center as suggested by many references.