Establishment of a simple model for hepatitis B virus infection status based on trait marker from quantitative measurement of serum markers

Establishment of an analysis model based on measurement of hepatitis B viral infection serum markers

BACKGROUND

Using serum markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we aimed to develop a quantitative model that explains the complicated immune response to this infection.

METHODS

Serum samples from HBV-infected patients were randomly selected and divided into groups based on HBV-DNA positivity or negativity. Quantitative markers of HBV were measured. Formulae for Antibody index (IAb) [(anti-HBs * 1/anti-HBe + anti-HBs * 1/anti-HBc + 1/anti-HBc * 1/anti-HBe)^0.5] and Antigen index (IAg) [(HBsAg * HBeAg)^0.5] were introduced.

RESULTS

IAg values were statistically higher (p < 0.05) in the HBV-DNA-positive group than in the -negative group, but no statistically significant difference in IAb values was observed. When IAb values were > 50, IAg values were mostly < 250; when IAg values were > 250, IAb values were mostly < 50.

CONCLUSION

IAb and IAg values can efficiently reflect the status of immune response to HBV and may be suitable for assessment of the infection process and the possible outcome of infection.

Diagnostic value of trait antinuclear antibodies and multiple immunoglobulin production in autoimmune diseases

BACKGROUND

Our article aims to evaluate the proportion of monospecific antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and polyclonal ANAs in patients with autoimmune diseases based on the results of an ANA panel and to evaluate the efficiency of trait ANAs as a novel diagnostic tool. This study also aims to investigate immunoglobulin production in autoimmune diseases by detecting different antibodies.

METHODS

The serum ANA profile of 634 patients with autoimmune diseases was analyzed using the immunoblot method. A specific formula was developed in an effort to calculate the theoretical proportion of monospecific ANA (TPM) in different disease groups. Different IgM, IgG, and IgE variants for several pathologies were detected.

RESULTS

The observed proportions of monospecific ANAs (OPM) were all lower than the predicted TPM in autoimmune diseases. Polyclonal ANAs were predominant in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There were statistical differences in OPM and TPM in all disease groups (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis of trait ANAs between the SLE group and the control groups indicated an area under the curve of 0.916. Differences were found in IgM of Toxoplasma gondii (TOXO) and IgG of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Treponema pallidum (TP) when comparing the various disease groups to the control group.

CONCLUSION

The higher TPM suggests that polyclonal differentiation is the major mechanism of ANA in autoimmune diseases. Trait ANA is potentially a valuable new index for diagnosis in SLE. Further investigation is needed to understand the link between B-cell differentiation and autoimmune diseases.