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Ma D, Liu X, Ai G, Pan W, Liu L, Huang Y, Liao Y, Lu Y, Zhang Z, Zhou H, Huang Z, Hao X, Shu S, Fang F. The etiology and differential diagnosis of "autoimmune hepatitis-like liver disease" in children: a single-center retrospective study. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1377333. [PMID: 38818349 PMCID: PMC11137199 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1377333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) often present with symptoms similar to those of other liver diseases. This study consists of a comparison between the clinical and histological characteristics of AIH and those of other four AIH-like liver diseases [i.e., drug-induced liver injury (DILI), gene deficiency, infectious liver disease and other etiology of liver disease], as well as an evaluation of the AIH scoring system's diagnostic performance. Methods All children with AIH-like liver disease at our center from January 2013 to December 2022 were included. The clinical and histological characteristics of the AIH group were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those of the other four groups. Results A total of 208 children were included and divided into AIH group (18 patients), DILI group (38 patients), gene deficiency group (44 patients), infectious liver disease group (74 patients), and other etiology group (34 patients). The antinuclear antibodies (ANA) ≥ 1:320 rate was significantly higher in the AIH compared to the other four groups after multiple testing correction (p < 0.0125), while patients with positive antibodies to liver-kidney microsomal-1 (anti-LKM1, n = 3) and smooth muscle antibodies (SMA, n = 2) were only observed in the AIH group. The positive rates of antibodies to liver cytosol type1 (anti-LC1) and Ro52 were higher than those in the other four groups. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and globulin levels, as well as the proportions of portal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, lobular hepatitis with more than moderate interface hepatitis, and lobular hepatitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, were significantly higher in the AIH group than in the other four groups after multiple testing correction (p < 0.0125). The cirrhosis rate in the AIH group was higher than that in the DILI and infectious liver disease groups (p < 0.0125). Both the simplified (AUC > 0.73) and the revised systems (AUC > 0.93) for AIH have good diagnostic performance, with the latter being superior (p < 0.05). Conclusion Positive autoantibodies (ANA ≥ 1:320 or anti-LKM1 positive, or accompanied by SMA, anti-LC1 or Ro-52 positive) and elevated serum IgG or globulin levels contribute to early recognition of AIH. The presence of lobular hepatitis with more than moderate interface hepatitis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration contribute to the diagnosis of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinglou Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guo Ai
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingling Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingjie Hao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sainan Shu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Fang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Roghani SA, Dastbaz M, Lotfi R, Shamsi A, Abdan Z, Rostampour R, Soleymani B, Zamanian MH, Soufivand P, Pournazari M, Taghadosi M. The development of anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody following severe COVID-19. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1276. [PMID: 38780036 PMCID: PMC11112627 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The dysregulated immune response is one of the cardinal features of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study was conducted to clarify the occurrence of autoantibodies (AABs) associated with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) in hospitalized patients with a moderate, severe, and critical form of COVID-19. METHODS The serum samples obtained from 176 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were investigated in this study, including patients with moderate (N = 90), severe (N = 50), and critical (N = 36) forms of COVID-19. Also, the serum samples collected from healthy subjects before the COVID-19 pandemic were used as controls (N = 176). The antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), antidouble-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), cytoplasmic-anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA), perinuclear ANCA (p-ANCA), antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs), and anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) occurrence was evaluated using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The results showed that the occurrence of ANAs, anti-dsDNA, anti-CCP, c-ANCA, and p-ANCA was significantly higher in the COVID-19 patients compared to serum obtained from healthy subjects (p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .05, and p < .001, respectively). The positive number of anti-CCP tests increased significantly in severe COVID-19 compared to the moderate group (p < .01). CONCLUSION Our study further supports the development of autoantibodies related to systemic autoimmune rheumatologic diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study with a large sample size that reported the occurrence of anti-CCP in a severe form of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Askar Roghani
- Immunology Department, Faculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mohammad Dastbaz
- Immunology Department, Faculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Ramin Lotfi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion MedicineKurdistan Regional Blood Transfusion CenterSanandajIran
- Clinical Research Development Center, Tohid HospitalKurdistan University of Medical SciencesSanandajIran
| | - Afsaneh Shamsi
- Immunology Department, Faculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Zahra Abdan
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Rezvan Rostampour
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical SchoolKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Bijan Soleymani
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology InstituteKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Zamanian
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Parviz Soufivand
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mehran Pournazari
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mahdi Taghadosi
- Immunology Department, Faculty of MedicineKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
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Shurin MR, Wheeler SE. Clinical Significance of Uncommon, Non-Clinical, and Novel Autoantibodies. Immunotargets Ther 2024; 13:215-234. [PMID: 38686351 PMCID: PMC11057673 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s450184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies are a common mark of autoimmune reaction and their identification in the patients' serum, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissues is generally believed to represent diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers of autoimmune diseases or autoinflammatory conditions. Traditionally, autoantibody testing is an important part of the clinical examination of suspected patients, and in the absence of reliable T cell tests, characterization of autoantibody responses might be suitable in finding causes of specific autoimmune responses, their strength, and sometimes commencement of autoimmune disease. Autoantibodies are also useful for prognostic stratification in clinically diverse groups of patients if checked repeatedly. Antibody discoveries are continuing, with important consequences for verifying autoimmune mechanisms, diagnostic feasibility, and clinical management. Adding newly identified autoantibody-autoantigen pairs to common clinical laboratory panels should help upgrade and harmonize the identification of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders and other autoimmune conditions. Herein, we aim to summarize our current knowledge of uncommon and novel autoantibodies in the context of discussing their validation, diagnostic practicability, and clinical relevance. The regular updates within the field are important and well justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Shurin
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah E Wheeler
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Kochhar S, Assis DN, Mack C, Izurieta HS, Muratori L, Munoz A, Nordenberg D, Gidudu JF, Blau EF, Vierling JM. Autoimmune hepatitis: Brighton Collaboration case definition and guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of immunisation safety data. Vaccine 2024; 42:1812-1825. [PMID: 38368225 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
This report introduces a Brighton Collaboration (BC) case definition for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), which has been classified as a priority adverse event of special interest (AESI), as there were possible cases seen following COVID-19 vaccination. The case definition was developed by a group of subject matter and BC process experts to facilitate safety data comparability across pre- and post-licensure clinical trials, as well as pharmacovigilance activities in multiple settings with diverse resources and healthcare access. The usual BC case definition development process was followed in an expedited manner, and took two months to complete, including finalising the manuscript for publication, instead of the usual 1 year development time. It includes a systematic review of the literature and an expert consensus to define levels of diagnostic certainty for AIH, and provides specific guidelines for data collection and analysis. Histology, serological and biochemical tests and exclusion of alternate diagnosis were considered necessary to define the levels of certainty (definitive, probable and possible). AEFI reports of suspected AIH were independently classified by the WG members to test its useability and these classifications were used to finalise the case definition. The document underwent peer review by external AIH experts and a Reference Group of vaccine safety stakeholders in high-, low- and middle-income countries to ensure case definition useability, applicability, and scientific integrity. The expedited process can be replicated for development of other standardised case definitions for priority AESIs for endemics and epidemics. While applicable to cases reported following immunisation, the case definition is independent of lapsed time following vaccination and, as such, can also be used to determine background incidence for vaccinated and unvaccinated control groups in studies of causal association. While use of this case definition is also appropriate for the study of safety of other products including drugs, it is not meant to guide clinical case management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Kochhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Global Healthcare Consulting, New Delhi, India.
| | - David N Assis
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Cara Mack
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Wisconsin, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
| | | | - Luigi Muratori
- DIMEC Università di Bologna and IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Alma Munoz
- Instituto de Salud Pública, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Dale Nordenberg
- Thriive, 250 - 25th Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 4J1, USA.
| | - Jane F Gidudu
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Erin F Blau
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - John M Vierling
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, USA.
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5
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Horwich BH, Dieterich DT. Phenotypes of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Differential Diagnosis. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:143-155. [PMID: 37945155 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a heterogenous immune-mediated disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and stricturing of the bile ducts. Though the driving pathophysiologic mechanisms remain elusive, there are several observed clinical phenotypes of the disease. The distribution of bile duct involvement, presence of concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, significant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and overlapping features with other autoimmune disease has significant implications for prognosis and treatment. As there remains no pathognomonic finding for primary sclerosing cholangitis, a broad differential diagnosis and extensive evaluation of other underlying causes is critical to appropriate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Horwich
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, PO Box 1076, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Douglas T Dieterich
- Division of Liver Diseases, Institute for Liver Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, Annenberg 5-04, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Sakhuja P, Goyal S. Autoimmune Hepatitis: From Evolution to Current Status-A Pathologist's Perspective. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:210. [PMID: 38248086 PMCID: PMC10814110 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, relapsing and remitting, immune-mediated liver disease that progresses to cirrhosis if left untreated. A significant number of patients may present with acute hepatitis or acute liver failure, which are often misdiagnosed as toxic liver injury. AIH shows a preponderance in young women but may be seen in children and the elderly. Diagnosis requires the integration of clinical, biochemical, and serologic parameters, along with supportive liver histology and exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsy is a prerequisite for diagnosis of AIH, to assess severity and stage of disease, exclude other entities, and recognize any concurrent morbidities. No single biomarker or histologic feature is pathognomonic for AIH. The diagnostic and histologic criteria have undergone several modifications since the original scoring system was proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) in 1993. Recently, the IAIHG has proposed consensus recommendations for histologic criteria, relevant for both acute and chronic AIH. This review article will describe the evolving diagnostic criteria for AIH, with their limitations and utility, and with an emphasis on the role of liver histology in the diagnosis and management of AIH.
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Wang L, Hu YF, Yang AY, Du ZX, Liu HL, Zhu P, Li LQ, Zhong YD, Xu ZY, Wang SS, Yang YF. Development and validation of a noninvasive prediction model of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with liver diseases. Scand J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:62-69. [PMID: 37649307 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2249571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is no golden standard for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis which still dependent on liver biopsy currently. So, we developed a noninvasive prediction model to help optimize the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. METHODS From January 2017 to December 2019, 1739 patients who had undergone liver biopsy were seen in the second hospital of Nanjing, of which 128 were here for consultation. Clinical, laboratory, and histologic data were obtained retrospectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to create a nomogram model that predicting the risk of autoimmune hepatitis. Internal and external validation was both performed to evaluate the model. RESULTS A total of 1288 patients with liver biopsy were enrolled (1184 from the second hospital of Nanjing, the remaining 104 from other centers). After the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, nine variables including ALT, IgG, ALP/AST, ALB, ANA, AMA, HBsAg, age, and gender were selected to establish the noninvasive prediction model. The nomogram model exhibits good prediction in diagnosing autoimmune hepatitis with AUROC of 0.967 (95% CI: 0.776-0.891) in internal validation and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.752-0.919) in external validation. CONCLUSIONS ALT, IgG, ALP/AST, ALB, ANA, AMA, HBsAg, age, and gender are predictive factors for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in patients with unexplained liver diseases. The predictive nomogram model built by the nine predictors achieved good prediction for diagnosing autoimmune hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Teaching Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Fan Hu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - An-Yin Yang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Du
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Ping Zhu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Qiu Li
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan-Dan Zhong
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Teaching Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | - Yong-Feng Yang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Teaching Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Liu B, Zhang D, Dong C, Yue Z, Wang L, Fan Z, Wu Y, Zhang K, Jiang L, Ding H, Zhang Y, Wang J, Liu F. Correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient and portal pressure gradient in patients with autoimmune cirrhotic portal hypertension and collateral branches of the hepatic vein. Hepatol Res 2023; 53:1084-1095. [PMID: 37353943 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the correlation and agreement between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal pressure gradient (PPG) in patients with autoimmune liver diseases (ALD) and portal hypertension, and to investigate the extent to which hepatic vein collateralization affects the accuracy of this assessment. METHODS Ninety-eight patients with ALD between 2017 and 2021 who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with conventional and innovative 15 mL pressurized contrast were selected to measure wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) and portal venous pressure and to calculate the HVPG and PPG. Pearson's correlation was used for correlation analysis between the two groups. Bland-Altman plots were plotted to estimate the agreement between paired pressures. RESULTS The r values of PPG and HVPG in the early, middle, late, and portal venous visualization were 0.404, 0.789, 0.807, and 0.830, respectively, and the R2 values were 0.163, 0.622, 0.651, and 0.690, respectively. The p value for the r and R2 values in the early group was 0.015, and the p values in the remaining groups were less than 0.001. Bland-Altman plots showed that patients in the portal venous visualization group had the narrowest 95% limits of agreement. The mean value of the difference was close to the zero-scale line. CONCLUSIONS In patients with ALD, the correlation between the HVPG and PPG was good, and the later the collateral development, the better the correlation. Hepatic vein collateral was an essential factor in underestimating WHVP and HVPG, and the earlier the collateral appeared, the more obvious the underestimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengbin Dong
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhendong Yue
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhua Fan
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuening Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fuquan Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Riddell M, Novak C, Dinn S, Galante G. An Adolescent Female With Concurrent Presentation of Autoimmune Hepatitis and Secondary Syphilis. JPGN REPORTS 2023; 4:e382. [PMID: 38034433 PMCID: PMC10684115 DOI: 10.1097/pg9.0000000000000382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
We describe concurrent diagnoses of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and secondary syphilis in a 17-year-old adolescent with jaundice, with possible syphilitic hepatitis (SH) excluded after a thorough investigation. Our patient presented with a several-day history of malaise, progressive jaundice, and vomiting. She disclosed being sexually active and requested testing for sexually transmitted infections. Her subsequent investigations demonstrated acute hepatitis with a positive antinuclear antibody and elevated IgG. She also tested positive for syphilis with a reactive rapid plasma regain and treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay. We considered 2 etiologies for her elevated liver enzymes: syphilitic hepatitis and AIH. AIH was confirmed on liver biopsy, establishing the first reported pediatric case of concurrent AIH and secondary syphilis. Syphilis is hypothesized to be an infectious trigger for AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Riddell
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chris Novak
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah Dinn
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gary Galante
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Genta S, Lajkosz K, Yee NR, Spiliopoulou P, Heirali A, Hansen AR, Siu LL, Saibil S, Stayner LA, Yanekina M, Sauder MB, Keshavarzi S, Salawu A, Vornicova O, Butler MO, Bedard PL, Razak ARA, Rottapel R, Chruscinski A, Coburn B, Spreafico A. Autoimmune PaneLs as PrEdictors of Toxicity in Patients TReated with Immune Checkpoint InhibiTors (ALERT). J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:276. [PMID: 37865776 PMCID: PMC10589949 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02851-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in a significant proportion of patients. The mechanisms underlying irAEs development are mostly unknown and might involve multiple immune effectors, such as T cells, B cells and autoantibodies (AutoAb). METHODS We used custom autoantigen (AutoAg) microarrays to profile AutoAb related to irAEs in patients receiving ICI. Plasma was collected before and after ICI from cancer patients participating in two clinical trials (NCT03686202, NCT02644369). A one-time collection was obtained from healthy controls for comparison. Custom arrays with 162 autoAg were used to detect IgG and IgM reactivities. Differences of median fluorescent intensity (MFI) were analyzed with Wilcoxon sign rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. MFI 500 was used as threshold to define autoAb reactivity. RESULTS A total of 114 patients and 14 healthy controls were included in this study. irAEs of grade (G) ≥ 2 occurred in 37/114 patients (32%). We observed a greater number of IgG and IgM reactivities in pre-ICI collections from patients versus healthy controls (62 vs 32 p < 0.001). Patients experiencing irAEs G ≥ 2 demonstrated pre-ICI IgG reactivity to a greater number of AutoAg than patients who did not develop irAEs (39 vs 33 p = 0.040). We observed post-treatment increase of IgM reactivities in subjects experiencing irAEs G ≥ 2 (29 vs 35, p = 0.021) and a decrease of IgG levels after steroids (38 vs 28, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results support the potential role of autoAb in irAEs etiology and evolution. A prospective study is ongoing to validate our findings (NCT04107311).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Genta
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Lajkosz
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Noelle R Yee
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alya Heirali
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aaron R Hansen
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lillian L Siu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sam Saibil
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lee-Anne Stayner
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maryia Yanekina
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maxwell B Sauder
- Division of Dematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sareh Keshavarzi
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Abdulazeez Salawu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olga Vornicova
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marcus O Butler
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe L Bedard
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Albiruni R Abdul Razak
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Rottapel
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Bryan Coburn
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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11
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Pagano S, Bakker SJL, Juillard C, Vossio S, Moreau D, Brandt KJ, Mach F, Dullaart RPF, Vuilleumier N. Antibody against apolipoprotein-A1, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk: a translational study. J Transl Med 2023; 21:694. [PMID: 37798764 PMCID: PMC10552329 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Autoantibodies against apolipoprotein A-1 (AAA-1) are a possible novel CVD risk factor promoting inflammation and disrupting cellular lipid homeostasis, two prominent pathogenic features of NAFLD. We explored the role of AAA-1 in NAFLD and their association with CVD risk. METHODS HepaRG cells and liver sections from ApoE-/- mice exposed to AAA-1 were used for lipid quantification and conditional protein expression. Randomly selected sera from 312 subjects of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-stage Disease (PREVEND) general population cohort were used to measure AAA-1. A Fatty Liver Index (FLI) ≥ 60 and a 10-year Framingham Risk Score (FRS) ≥ 20% were used as proxy of NAFLD and high CVD risk, respectively. RESULTS In-vitro and mouse models showed that AAA-1 increased triglyceride synthesis leading to steatosis, and promoted inflammation and hepatocyte injury. In the 112 PREVEND participants with FLI ≥ 60, AAA-1 were associated with higher FRS, alkaline phosphatase levels, lower HDL cholesterol and tended to display higher FLI values. Univariate linear and logistic regression analyses (LRA) confirmed significant associations between AAA-1, FLI and FRS ≥ 20%, while in adjusted LRA, FLI was the sole independent predictor of FRS ≥ 20% (OR: 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.09, P = 0.003). AAA-1 was not an independent FLI predictor. CONCLUSIONS AAA-1 induce a NAFLD-compatible phenotype in vitro and in mice. Intricate associations exist between AAA-1, CVD risk and FLI in the general population. Further work is required to refine the role of AAA-1 in NAFLD and to determine if the AAA-1 association with CVD is affected by hepatic steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Pagano
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Diagnostics Department, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Medicine Specialties, Medical Faculty, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine Juillard
- Department of Medicine Specialties, Medical Faculty, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stefania Vossio
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Moreau
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karim J Brandt
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Mach
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robin P F Dullaart
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Vuilleumier
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Diagnostics Department, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine Specialties, Medical Faculty, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
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12
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Yilmaz K, Haeberle S, Kim YO, Fritzler MJ, Weng SY, Goeppert B, Raker VK, Steinbrink K, Schuppan D, Enk A, Hadaschik EN. Regulatory T-cell deficiency leads to features of autoimmune liver disease overlap syndrome in scurfy mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253649. [PMID: 37818371 PMCID: PMC10561387 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Scurfy mice have a complete deficiency of functional regulatory T cells (Treg) due to a frameshift mutation in the Foxp3 gene. The impaired immune homeostasis results in a lethal lymphoproliferative disorder affecting multiple organs, including the liver. The autoimmune pathology in scurfy mice is in part accompanied by autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA). ANA are serological hallmarks of several autoimmune disorders including autoimmune liver diseases (AILD). However, the underlying pathogenesis and the role of Treg in AILD remain to be elucidated. The present study therefore aimed to characterize the liver disease in scurfy mice. Methods Sera from scurfy mice were screened for ANA by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and tested for a wide range of AILD-associated autoantibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, line immunoassay, and addressable laser bead immunoassay. CD4+ T cells of scurfy mice were transferred into T cell-deficient B6/nude mice. Monoclonal autoantibodies from scurfy mice and recipient B6/nude mice were tested for ANA by IFA. Liver tissue of scurfy mice was analyzed by conventional histology. Collagen deposition in scurfy liver was quantified via hepatic hydroxyproline content. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine fibrosis-related hepatic gene expression. Hepatic immune cells were differentiated by flow cytometry. Results All scurfy mice produced ANA. AILD-associated autoantibodies, predominantly antimitochondrial antibodies, were detected at significantly higher levels in scurfy sera. CD4+ T cells from scurfy mice were sufficient to induce anti-dsDNA autoantibodies and ANA with an AILD-related nuclear envelope staining pattern. Liver histology revealed portal inflammation with bile duct damage and proliferation, as in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and interface hepatitis with portal-parenchymal necroinflammation, as found in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). In scurfy liver, TNFα and fibrosis-related transcripts including Col1a1, Timp1, Acta2, Mmp2, and Mmp9 were upregulated. The level of proinflammatory monocytic macrophages (Ly-6Chi) was increased, while M2-type macrophages (CD206+) were downregulated compared to wildtype controls. Despite severe hepatic inflammation, fibrosis did not develop within 25 days, which is close to the lifespan of scurfy mice. Discussion Our findings suggest that Treg-deficient scurfy mice spontaneously develop clinical, serological, and immunopathological characteristics of AILD with overlapping features of PBC and AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaan Yilmaz
- Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Haeberle
- Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yong Ook Kim
- Institute of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marvin J. Fritzler
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shih-Yen Weng
- Institute of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Smart Healthcare Interdisciplinary College, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, RKH Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Verena K. Raker
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Kerstin Steinbrink
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexander Enk
- Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva N. Hadaschik
- Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
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13
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Lee TG, Park PG, Park YB, Huh JH, Lee SW. Clinical Link between the BARD Score at Diagnosis and Mortality during Follow-Up in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5679. [PMID: 37685746 PMCID: PMC10488870 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether the BARD score at diagnosis could predict all-cause mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study included 236 immunosuppressive drug-naïve patients without chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and advanced liver diseases and their clinical data at diagnosis, such as age, sex, and the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). The BARD score was calculated by the sum of aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) ratio ≥ 0.8 (+2 points), body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m2 (+1 point), and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (+1 point). All-cause mortality was investigated as a poor outcome of AAV. The median age of AAV patients was 60.0 years, and 34.7% were men. Among AAV patients, 7, 50, and 187 scored 1, 1, and 2 points owing to having a BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2, T2DM, and an AST/ALT ratio ≥ 0.8, respectively. Patients with a BARD score ≥ 2 and those with a BARD score ≥ 3 exhibited significantly lower cumulative patient survival rates than those without (p = 0.038 and p = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariable Cox analysis, among the two cut-offs of the BARD scores, only a BARD score ≥ 3 (HR 2.866), along with age (HR 1.061), male sex (HR 2.327), and BVAS (HR 1.100), was independently associated with all-cause mortality during follow-up. In conclusion, this study was the first to demonstrate that the BARD score ≥ 3 at AAV diagnosis could predict all-cause mortality during follow-up in AAV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Geom Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
| | - Pil-Gyu Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang 10444, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yong-Beom Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Huh
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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14
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van den Beukel MD, Stoelinga AEC, van der Meer AJ, van der Meulen S, Zhang L, Tushuizen ME, van Hoek B, Trouw LA. Antibodies against multiple post-translationally modified proteins aid in diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis and associate with complete biochemical response to treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1195747. [PMID: 37564051 PMCID: PMC10411548 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1195747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background (Auto)immune mediated and cholestatic liver disease (AILD) includes autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Especially AIH is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and elevated serum immunoglobulins. In rheumatoid arthritis, autoantibodies against post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as citrullination (Cit) and carbamylation (CarP) are used as diagnostic and prognostic markers, respectively. We studied the presence of six anti-PTM antibodies in patients with the three AILDs and non-AILD. Methods Antibodies against six PTMs (malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde adducts (MAA), advanced glycation end-products (AGE), CarP, acetylation (AL), Cit, and nitration (NT)) were tested in sera of patients with AILD (n = 106), non-AILD (n = 101) and compared with healthy controls (HC) (n = 100). Levels and positivity were correlated with clinical and biochemical features in a well-defined cohort of untreated AIH patients. Results Anti-PTM antibodies were more often detectable in sera from AILD patients compared with HCs (anti-MAA: 67.9% vs. 2.0%, anti-AGE: 36.8% vs. 4.0%, anti-CarP: 47.2% vs. 5.0% and anti-AL: 18.9% vs. 5.0%). In untreated AIH, time to complete biochemical response (CBR) was associated with anti-MAA, anti-AGE, anti-CarP and anti-AL antibodies. Significantly more patients with at least three anti-PTM antibodies attained CBR at 12 months of treatment (13 vs. 3 p = 0.01). Conclusion Anti-PTM antibodies are frequently present in AILD. The presence of anti-MAA, anti-AGE and anti-CarP antibodies correlates with the presence of AIH within this cohort. In AIH, harboring at least three anti-PTM antibody responses is positively associated with CBR. Determination of anti-PTM antibodies in liver disease may have diagnostic and prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna E. C. Stoelinga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Adriaan J. van der Meer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stef van der Meulen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maarten E. Tushuizen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bart van Hoek
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Leendert A. Trouw
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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15
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Barner-Rasmussen N, Sjöblom N, Arola J, Boyd S, Kautiainen H, Färkkilä M. The role of serology, liver function tests and imaging in screening of primary sclerosing cholangitis: the HelPSCreen score. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:1491-1498. [PMID: 37452487 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2233038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECIVES At present, no sensitive or specific screening test exists for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC screening is mainly based on elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to produce a screening score based on laboratory tests to predict the likelihood of PSC. Moreover, we evaluated the additional roles of liver histology and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of PSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data of 385 patients who came for their first endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to confirm PSC diagnosis were retrieved from the PSC registry of the Helsinki University Hospital. Overall, 69 patients referred for ERC with suspected PSC, in whom PSC was excluded by ERC or liver biopsy and MRCP, served as controls. We included patients' demographics and 13 laboratory test results in the analysis. Variables with significant odds ratios were selected for multivariate logistic regression, which was used to create a novel scoring system for PSC. The presence of IBD, serum perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and ALP levels demonstrated the highest predictive value for PSC. A score was assigned for each statistically significant predictor. RESULTS The optimal cut-off point for the score was ≥3, with an AUC of 0.83 (95%CI: 0.78-0.88). The addition of liver histology or MRCP findings to the score did not add a predictive value. CONCUSIONS In conclusion, we created a novel, simple scoring system to screen the probability of PSC. The HelPSCreen-score may help to assess the disease prevalence and to target further investigations in patients suspected of PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Barner-Rasmussen
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nelli Sjöblom
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Arola
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sonja Boyd
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kautiainen
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Martti Färkkilä
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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16
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Hermanussen L, Lampalzer S, Bockmann JH, Ziegler AE, Piecha F, Dandri M, Pischke S, Haag F, Lohse AW, Lütgehetmann M, Weiler-Normann C, zur Wiesch JS. Non-organ-specific autoantibodies with unspecific patterns are a frequent para-infectious feature of chronic hepatitis D. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1169096. [PMID: 37387781 PMCID: PMC10300640 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1169096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with hepatotropic viruses are associated with various immune phenomena. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis. However, few recent data are available on non-disease-specific and non-organ-specific antibody (NOSA) titers and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in chronic hepatitis D (CHD) patients. Here, we examined the NOSA titers and IgG levels of 40 patients with CHD and different disease courses and compared them to 70 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. 43% of CHD patients had previously undergone treatment with pegylated interferon-α (IFN-α). The antibody display of 46 untreated patients diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was used as a reference. The frequency of elevated NOSA titers (CHD 69% vs. CHB 43%, p < 0.01), and the median IgG levels (CHD 16.9 g/L vs. CHB 12.7 g/L, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in CHD patients than in patients with CHB, and highest in patients with AIH (96%, 19.5 g/L). Also, the antinuclear antibody pattern was homogeneous in many patients with AIH and unspecific in patients with viral hepatitis. Additionally, f-actin autoantibodies were only detectable in patients with AIH (39% of SMA). In CHD patients, IgG levels correlated with higher HDV viral loads, transaminases, and liver stiffness values. IgG levels and NOSA were similar in CHD patients irrespective of a previous IFN-α treatment. In summary, autoantibodies with an unspecific pattern are frequently detected in CHD patients with unclear clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Hermanussen
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Lampalzer
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Hendrik Bockmann
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annerose E. Ziegler
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felix Piecha
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Pischke
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Haag
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ansgar W. Lohse
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Weiler-Normann
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine and Martin Zeitz Centre for Rare Diseases, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases, and Tropical Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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17
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Weltzsch JP, Ziegler A, Lohse A. [Autoimmune hepatitis : From autoantibodies to cirrhosis]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023:10.1007/s00108-023-01519-9. [PMID: 37306752 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease of unknown origin. Its clinical presentation is heterogeneous and ranges from asymptomatic courses over several years to acute forms with acute liver failure. Accordingly, the diagnosis is only made at the stage of cirrhosis in about one third of affected individuals. Early diagnosis and a consistent, adequate, individualized, immunosuppressive therapy are crucial for the prognosis, which is excellent when treated properly. AIH is rare in the general population and can be easily overlooked due to its variable clinical picture and sometimes difficult diagnosis. AIH should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any unclear acute or chronic hepatopathy. The therapy initially consists of remission induction and subsequently maintenance therapy with (often lifelong) immunosuppressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Weltzsch
- I. Med. Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - Annerose Ziegler
- I. Med. Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Ansgar Lohse
- I. Med. Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
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18
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Islek A, Tumgor G. Seronegative autoimmune hepatitis in childhood. World J Clin Pediatr 2023; 12:77-85. [PMID: 37342447 PMCID: PMC10278082 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i3.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive guidelines on seropositive autoimmune hepatitis have been published for both adults and children, although these guidelines comprise only limited knowledge about seronegative autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis presents as an acute or chronic progressive disease and poor outcomes are inevitable if left untreated. The absence of autoantibody positivity, hypergammaglobulinemia and lack of comprehensive algorithms makes seronegative autoimmune hepatitis a mysterious disease. In general, seronegative autoimmune hepatitis often presents with acute hepatitis, and its treatment and prognosis similar to seropositive autoimmune hepatitis. The present review focuses on the known characteristics of seronegative autoimmune hepatitis in childhood, and those of which current knowledge is vague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Islek
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Adana 01320, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Tumgor
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Adana 01320, Turkey
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19
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Arnaldos-Pérez C, Pérez-Isidro A, Bolos U, Domènech C, Ballús J, Rodríguez-Tajes S, Londoño MC, Viñas O, Ruiz-Ortiz E. Detection of M2-Type Anti-Mitochondrial Autoantibodies against Specific Subunits in the Diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis in Patients with Discordant Results. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13111840. [PMID: 37296692 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND M2-type anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies are considered the hallmark of primary biliary cholangitis and are directed mainly against the E2 subunits of the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex enzymes (PDC, BCOADC and OGDC). The aim of this study was to determine whether a Dot-blot that includes these E2 subunits separately could confirm the results of methods with non-separated subunits in patients with low positive or discordant results between techniques. METHODS Sera of 24 patients with low positive or discordant results and of 10 patients with clear positive results by non-separated subunits methods were analyzed by Dot-blot with separated subunits. RESULTS Autoantibodies against E2 subunits of PDC, BCOADC or OGDC were detected in all patients, except in one case from the low positive or discordant results group, by Dot-blot with separated subunits. CONCLUSIONS It would be advisable to use methods that include the three E2 subunits, and a Dot-blot with separated subunits could confirm doubtful cases by non-separated assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Arnaldos-Pérez
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Pérez-Isidro
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Uma Bolos
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Domènech
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Ballús
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Rodríguez-Tajes
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Carlota Londoño
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Odette Viñas
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz Ruiz-Ortiz
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Weiler-Normann C, Haag F, Lohse AW. [Autoimmune diagnostics in gastroenterology and hepatology]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2023; 148:223-229. [PMID: 36848885 DOI: 10.1055/a-1842-6282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases may affect all parts of the gastrointestinal system and the liver. Autoantibodies can be very helpful in the diagnosis of these diseases. For detection, two main diagnostic techniques are available: indirect immunofluorescence technique (IFT) as well as solid phase assays as e. g. ELISA or immunoblot. Depending on symptoms and differential diagnosis, IFT may serve as screening assay and solid phase assays may serve as confirmatory assays. The esophagus can sometimes be affected by systemic autoimmune diseases; diagnosis is often facilitated by the proof of circulating autoantibodies. Atrophic gastritis is the most prominent autoimmune disease of the stomach also displaying circulating autoantibodies. Antibody diagnosis for celiac disease has been implemented in all common guidelines. For liver and pancreatic autoimmune diseases, there is a solid history for the significance of the detection of circulating autoantibodies. Knowledge of available tests and accurate implementation accelerates correct diagnosis in many cases.
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21
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Jańczyk W, Bierła JB, Trojanowska I, Wierzbicka-Rucińska A, Cukrowska B, Socha P. Prevalence and Significance of Autoantibody Seropositivity in Children with Wilson's Disease. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040768. [PMID: 36832258 PMCID: PMC9955693 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies occur in healthy subjects as well as in children with Wilson's disease (WD), but their prevalence and significance are unknown. Thus, we aimed to assess the prevalence of autoantibodies and autoimmune markers, and their relationship to liver injury in WD children. The study included 74 WD and 75 healthy children as a control group. Patients with WD underwent transient elastography (TE) examinations, as well as determination of liver function tests, copper metabolism markers, and serum immunoglobulins (Ig). In the sera of the WD patients and controls, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle, anti-mitochondrial, anti-parietal cell, anti-liver/kidney microsomal, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies, and specific celiac antibodies were determined. Among the autoantibodies, only the prevalence of ANA in children with WD was higher than in the controls. There was no significant relationship between the presence of autoantibodies and liver steatosis or stiffness after TE. However, advanced liver stiffness (E > 8.2 kPa) was related to IgA, IgG, and gamma globulin production. The type of treatment did not influence the prevalence of autoantibodies. Our results suggest that autoimmune disturbances in WD might not be directly related to liver damage as expressed by steatosis and/or liver stiffness after TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Jańczyk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutritional Disorders and Pediatrics, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-8151874
| | - Joanna B. Bierła
- Department of Pathomorphology, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ilona Trojanowska
- Department of Pathomorphology, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aldona Wierzbicka-Rucińska
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Cukrowska
- Department of Pathomorphology, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Socha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutritional Disorders and Pediatrics, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Bowlus CL, Arrivé L, Bergquist A, Deneau M, Forman L, Ilyas SI, Lunsford KE, Martinez M, Sapisochin G, Shroff R, Tabibian JH, Assis DN. AASLD practice guidance on primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2023; 77:659-702. [PMID: 36083140 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Bowlus
- Division of Gastroenterology , University of California Davis Health , Sacramento , California , USA
| | | | - Annika Bergquist
- Karolinska Institutet , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Mark Deneau
- University of Utah , Salt Lake City , Utah , USA
| | - Lisa Forman
- University of Colorado , Aurora , Colorado , USA
| | - Sumera I Ilyas
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science , Rochester , Minnesota , USA
| | - Keri E Lunsford
- Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School , Newark , New Jersey , USA
| | - Mercedes Martinez
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons , Columbia University , New York , New York , USA
| | | | | | - James H Tabibian
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - David N Assis
- Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , Connecticut , USA
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23
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Amendt T, Tybulewicz VLJ. Antidepressants cheer up hepatic B1 B cells: Hope for the treatment of autoimmune liver diseases? Front Immunol 2023; 13:1083173. [PMID: 36733387 PMCID: PMC9887017 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1083173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Timm Amendt
- Institute of Immunology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany,*Correspondence: Timm Amendt,
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24
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Clinical Characteristics of Autoimmune Hepatitis in a Middle Eastern Population: A Tertiary Care Center Experience. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020629. [PMID: 36675558 PMCID: PMC9861091 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated inflammatory liver disease of uncertain cause, and its manifestations appear to vary by race and ethnicity. The literature on AIH in the Middle East, including Jordan, is scarce; therefore, this study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of AIH in an understudied population. This retrospective chart review study was conducted on AIH patients who presented to Jordan University Hospital over a seven-year period (2014-2020). Retrieved data included sociodemographics, liver function tests, autoimmune serologic markers, viral hepatitis serology, findings on liver biopsies, treatment regimens, post-therapy outcomes and treatment-related complications. The total number of AIH patients included in the study was 30, divided as follows: type 1 AIH (n = 17, 56.7%), type 2 AIH (n = 2, 6.7%), seronegative AIH (n = 9, 30.0%), and two patients who had AIH-primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome (6.7%). The mean age at diagnosis was 44 years (standard deviation: 17 years), with a female predominance (n = 25, 83.3%). Acute presentation was seen among 18 patients (60.0%). Mild to moderate fibrosis (F1 and F2 on METAVIR scoring system) without cirrhosis was observed among patients who underwent liver biopsies (10/19, 52.6%). The majority of patients (73.3%) were initially treated with prednisone, with azathioprine combination in 16.7% of the patients. At 6 months post initial treatment, twenty patients (66.7%) achieved biochemical remission, four patients had incomplete response, two patients failed to improve (one died during the induction of remission period due to AIH-related complications), and four patients were lost to follow-up. This study provided an updated overview of AIH in Jordan. The results showed typical female predominance, and interestingly high rates of acute presentation and seronegative disease. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to address the nature and long-term prognosis of AIH in Jordan.
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Zhang Y, Niazi B, Auda A, Chacko AA, Jarri A, Mohamed A, Ali S, Zhu H, Sirajuddin S. A Novel Presentation of Autoimmune Hepatitis with IgG1 Elevation. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2023; 17:281-286. [PMID: 37928974 PMCID: PMC10624941 DOI: 10.1159/000530517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a common and debilitating pathology that has acute, subacute, and chronic presentation, requiring prompt diagnosis and early intervention. Several serologic markers are found to be associated with the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune hepatitis, most notably antinuclear antibodies and anti-smooth muscle antibodies [Front Immunol. 2018;9:609]. In addition, AIH is also characterized by the elevation of gamma globulin levels, mainly immunoglobulin G (IgG) [World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(1):60-83]. Although the literature has well established the presence of increased IgG levels in AIH, few studies have evaluated the subtypes of IgG and their differential levels associated with AIH. Here, we present a rare case of AIH that lacks the common serologic markers but instead reveals an elevation in IgG1 level. Our patient was subsequently placed on corticosteroids, and her symptoms quickly resolved. We intend to introduce this case to the medical community in the hope of aiding in the proper diagnosis and timely intervention of subsequent cases with similar presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Bilal Niazi
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Auda Auda
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Angel Ann Chacko
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Amer Jarri
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Abdifatah Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Saad Ali
- Department of Gastroenterology, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Hongfa Zhu
- Department of Pathology, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
| | - Syed Sirajuddin
- Department of Internal Medicine, HMH-Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ, USA
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26
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Mahto M, Rai N, Dey S, Kumar R. Anti-F-Actin Antibody Positivity on Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Following Chinese and Alternative Medicine Therapy: A Case Report. J Lab Physicians 2022. [PMID: 37323599 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractImmunofluorescence on human epithelial type 2 cells is the standard screening assay for the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Cytoplasmic speckled patterns are a common finding. However, the less commonly reported ones include the cytoplasmic fibrillar patterns on indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT). The cytoplasmic fibrillar patterns include the cytoplasmic linear (AC-15), cytoplasmic filamentous (AC-16), and cytoplasmic segmental (AC-17). We report a case of cytoplasmic linear (F-actin) detected through IIFT during ANA screening in a 77-year-old man and later reconfirmed on liver mosaic biochip through IIFT on vascular smooth muscle substrate (VSM-47) without features suggestive of anti-smooth muscle antibody involvement post-complementary and alternative medicine therapy initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mala Mahto
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Neha Rai
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Soma Dey
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
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27
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Autoantibodies: are they a clue for liver diseases? Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 8:309-314. [PMID: 36683869 PMCID: PMC9850298 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2022.122275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autoantibody testing has contributed to both biological and clinical insights in managing patients with liver disease. These autoantibodies often have clinical value for the diagnosis, disease activity and/or prognosis. Aim of the study We aimed to investigate the potential application of auto-antibodies in different etiologies of non-autoimmune liver diseases. Material and methods This study was conducted on 53 infants and children with chronic liver diseases. The patients were subjected to clinical history and examination, laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasound. Serum of all infants and children was tested for measurement of antiprothrombin antibody and anti-b2-glycoprotein I (ab2GPI) and anticardiolipin (ACL) auto-antibodies using a fully-automated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. Results The mean age of the infants with cholestatic liver diseases was significantly lower than those with metabolic liver diseases, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and vascular liver diseases (p < 0.05). The gender distribution was proportionate in all groups (p = 0.703). Autoantibodies showed significant variations among different etiologies of chronic liver diseases. he incidence of ab2GPI and ACL was significantly increased in both HCV (94.7% and 78.9%, respectively) and vascular liver diseases patients (90.9% and 72.7%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Antiprothrombin antibodies were found in 81.8% of vascular liver disease patients. Interestingly, all types of autoantibodies were deficient in cholestatic and metabolic liver diseases. Conclusions Testing for liver-related autoantibodies should be included in the workup of patients with chronic liver diseases. Further studies are needed to explain the cause-effect association of ACL, ab2GPI and antiprothrombin with chronic HCV and vascular liver diseases.
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28
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Kayser C, Dutra LA, Dos Reis-Neto ET, Castro CHDM, Fritzler MJ, Andrade LEC. The Role of Autoantibody Testing in Modern Personalized Medicine. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2022; 63:251-288. [PMID: 35244870 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08918-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Personalized medicine (PM) aims individualized approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Precision Medicine applies the paradigm of PM by defining groups of individuals with akin characteristics. Often the two terms have been used interchangeably. The quest for PM has been advancing for centuries as traditional nosology classification defines groups of clinical conditions with relatively similar prognoses and treatment options. However, any individual is characterized by a unique set of multiple characteristics and therefore the achievement of PM implies the determination of myriad demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters. The accelerated identification of numerous biological variables associated with diverse health conditions contributes to the fulfillment of one of the pre-requisites for PM. The advent of multiplex analytical platforms contributes to the determination of thousands of biological parameters using minute amounts of serum or other biological matrixes. Finally, big data analysis and machine learning contribute to the processing and integration of the multiplexed data at the individual level, allowing for the personalized definition of susceptibility, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment. Autoantibodies are traditional biomarkers for autoimmune diseases and can contribute to PM in many aspects, including identification of individuals at risk, early diagnosis, disease sub-phenotyping, definition of prognosis, and treatment, as well as monitoring disease activity. Herein we address how autoantibodies can promote PM in autoimmune diseases using the examples of systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and autoimmune neurologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Kayser
- Rheumatology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marvin J Fritzler
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Luis Eduardo C Andrade
- Rheumatology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Immunology Division, Fleury Medicine and Health Laboratories, São Paulo, Brazil.
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29
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Xi D, Lin H, Shah AA. Overview of autoimmune liver disease: Prevalence, risk factors, and role of autoantibodies. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2022; 20:111-115. [PMID: 36245681 PMCID: PMC9549306 DOI: 10.1002/cld.1227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Content available: Author Interview and Audio Recording.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xi
- Division of GastroenterologyDoernbecher Children's HospitalOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Henry Lin
- Division of GastroenterologyDoernbecher Children's HospitalOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Amit A. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & NutritionChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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30
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Gaiani F, Minerba R, Picanza A, Russo A, Melegari A, De Santis E, Trenti T, Belloni L, Peveri S, Aloe R, Ferrari C, Laghi L, de’Angelis GL, Bonaguri C. Optimization of Laboratory Diagnostics of Primary Biliary Cholangitis: When Solid-Phase Assays and Immunofluorescence Combine. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175238. [PMID: 36079166 PMCID: PMC9457280 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory diagnostics of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have substantially improved, thanks to innovative analytical opportunities, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and multiple immunodot liver profile tests, based on recombinant or purified antigens. This study aimed to identify the best diagnostic test combination to optimize PBC diagnosis. Between January 2014 and March 2017, 164 PBC patients were recruited at the hospitals of Parma, Modena, Reggio-Emilia, and Piacenza. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), ELISA, and immunodot assays (PBC Screen, MIT3, M2, gp210, and sp100). AMA-IIF resulted in 89.6% positive cases. Using multiple immunodot liver profiles, AMA-M2 sensitivity was 94.5%, while anti-gp210 and anti-sp100 antibodies were positive in 16.5% and 17.7% of patients, respectively. PBC screening yielded positive results in 94.5% of cases; MIT3, sp100, and gp210 were detected by individual ELISA test in 89.0%, 17.1%, and 18.9% of patients, respectively. The association of PBC screening with IIF-AMA improved the diagnostic sensitivity from 89.6% to 98.2% (p < 0.01). When multiple immunodot liver profile testing was integrated with AMA-IIF, the diagnostic sensitivity increased from 89.1% to 98.8% (p < 0.01). The combination of IIF with solid-phase methods significantly improved diagnostic efficacy in PBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Gaiani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-521-702-772; Fax: +39-521-702-989
| | - Roberta Minerba
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Picanza
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Annalisa Russo
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Melegari
- Autoimmunity Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Via Giardini 1355, 41126 Baggiovara, Italy
| | - Elena De Santis
- Autoimmunity Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Via Giardini 1355, 41126 Baggiovara, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trenti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Via Giardini 1355, 41126 Baggiovara, Italy
| | - Lucia Belloni
- Unit of Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS of Reggio-Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio-Emilia, Italy
| | - Silvia Peveri
- Allergology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Via Giuseppe Taverna 49, 29121 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Rosalia Aloe
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Luigi Laghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi de’Angelis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonaguri
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
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31
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Hsu M, Ju JY, Pearson MM, Yu L, Swanson PE, Yeh MM. IgG and IgM Immunohistochemistry in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) and Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) Liver Explants. Am J Clin Pathol 2022; 158:770-773. [PMID: 36048887 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqac101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) can be difficult to distinguish in end-stage liver disease. Previous studies have shown that immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) immunostaining can differentiate AIH from PBC in needle core biopsy specimens, and we seek to extend these data to cirrhotic liver explants, in which the histology of AIH or PBC may be indiscernible. METHODS Clinical data were reviewed for 20 patients with PBC cirrhosis and 16 with AIH cirrhosis. Immunohistochemistry for IgM and IgG was performed on representative blocks of explanted livers. Three high-power fields with the highest concentration of IgG- and IgM-positive plasma cells were counted and compared. RESULTS The average number of IgM-positive plasma cells was significantly higher in PBC explants (7.3) than in AIH (1.8) (P = .001). There was no significant difference in the average number of IgG-positive plasma cells in PBC (2.5) and AIH (2.8) (P = .8). The IgG/IgM ratio was more likely to be less than 1.0 in PBC (17/20, 85%) compared with AIH (7/16, 44%) (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that the absolute number of IgM plasma cells is greater in explants of cirrhotic PBC compared with AIH. These findings may be helpful in the evaluation of cryptogenic cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maylee Hsu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Ju
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Meredith M Pearson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul E Swanson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew M Yeh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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32
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Chazouilleres O, Beuers U, Bergquist A, Karlsen TH, Levy C, Samyn M, Schramm C, Trauner M. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on sclerosing cholangitis. J Hepatol 2022; 77:761-806. [PMID: 35738507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Management of primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis is challenging. These Clinical Practice Guidelines have been developed to provide practical guidance on debated topics including diagnostic methods, prognostic assessment, early detection of complications, optimal care pathways and therapeutic (pharmacological, endoscopic or surgical) options both in adults and children.
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Prevalence and Significance of Antinuclear Antibodies in Biopsy-Proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8446170. [PMID: 35990246 PMCID: PMC9391168 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8446170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aim Associations between antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and disease severity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear. This study aimed to provide reliable estimates of ANA prevalence in subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD and to investigate whether its associations with liver disease severity were established. Methods Observational studies measuring ANA in NAFLD patients were derived from the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 30, 2022. The effect size was presented as the pooled risk difference, unstandardized mean differences (MDs), and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Thirteen articles involving 2331 patients were finally included. Among the subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD, the overall prevalence of ANA positivity was high as 23% (95% CI: 19%-28%), but there were no statistically significant differences between ANA-positive and ANA-negative NAFLD patients in the levels of liver enzymes and blood lipids, grades of hepatocellular ballooning, lobular and portal inflammation, or risks of moderate-severe steatosis and significant fibrosis. However, the subgroup analysis showed that different geographic regions led to diverse results. ANA positivity was associated with a significantly elevated risk of significant fibrosis in the Eastern population (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.30-4.06) but not in the Western population (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.54-1.83). Conclusions Serum ANA was present in approximately one-quarter of subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD, but it conferred a greater risk of significant fibrosis only in Eastern but not Western populations.
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Stevens JP, Gupta NA. Recent Insights into Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Clin Liver Dis 2022; 26:489-519. [PMID: 35868687 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews recent literature on the pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, comorbidities, natural history, and management of pediatric primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The authors shed light on the role of genetic and environmental factors in PSC, although recognize the limitations in the understanding of PSC pathogenesis. They reflect on presenting disease phenotypes, including the association with inflammatory bowel disease and frequent histologic presence of autoimmune hepatitis features. The current lack of effective medications is discussed, and disease complications and prognosis are described. Finally, the authors highlight available evidence while acknowledging the paucity of prospective pediatric data.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Stevens
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta GA 30322, USA
| | - Nitika A Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta GA 30322, USA.
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Lenti MV, Rossi CM, Melazzini F, Gastaldi M, Bugatti S, Rotondi M, Bianchi PI, Gentile A, Chiovato L, Montecucco C, Corazza GR, Di Sabatino A. Seronegative autoimmune diseases: A challenging diagnosis. Autoimmun Rev 2022; 21:103143. [PMID: 35840037 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AID) are increasingly prevalent conditions which comprise more than 100 distinct clinical entities that are responsible for a great disease burden worldwide. The early recognition of these diseases is key for preventing their complications and for tailoring proper management. In most cases, autoantibodies, regardless of their potential pathogenetic role, can be detected in the serum of patients with AID, helping clinicians in making a definitive diagnosis and allowing screening strategies for early -and sometimes pre-clinical- diagnosis. Despite their undoubted crucial role, in a minority of cases, patients with AID may not show any autoantibody, a condition that is referred to as seronegative AID. Suboptimal accuracy of the available laboratory tests, antibody absorption, immunosuppressive therapy, immunodeficiencies, antigen exhaustion, and immunosenescence are the main possible determinants of seronegative AID. Indeed, in seronegative AID, the diagnosis is more challenging and must rely on clinical features and on other available tests, often including histopathological evaluation and radiological diagnostic tests. In this review, we critically dissect, in a narrative fashion, the possible causes of seronegativity, as well as the diagnostic and management implications, in several AID including autoimmune gastritis, celiac disease, autoimmune liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune encephalitis, myasthenia gravis, Sjögren's syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vincenzo Lenti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Melazzini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Gastaldi
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Serena Bugatti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Ilaria Bianchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonella Gentile
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlomaurizio Montecucco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gino Roberto Corazza
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
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Cançado GGL, Braga MH, Ferraz MLG, Villela-Nogueira CA, Terrabuio DRB, Cançado ELR, Nardelli MJ, Faria LC, de Faria Gomes NM, Oliveira EMG, Rotman V, Oliveira MB, da Cunha SMCF, Cunha-Silva M, Mendes LSC, Ivantes CAP, Codes L, de Almeida E Borges VF, de Lima Pace FH, Pessoa MG, Signorelli IV, Coral GP, Bittencourt PL, Levy C, Couto CA. Anti-mitochondrial Antibody-Negative Primary Biliary Cholangitis Is Part of the Same Spectrum of Classical Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:3305-3312. [PMID: 34181166 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07122-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease in which anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are the diagnostic hallmark. Whether AMA-negative PBC patients represent a different phenotype of disease is highly debated. AIMS The purpose of our study was to compare AMA-positive and AMA-negative PBC patients in a large non-white admixed Brazilian cohort. METHODS The Brazilian Cholestasis Study Group multicentre database was reviewed to assess demographics, clinical features and treatment outcomes of Brazilian PBC patients, stratifying data according to AMA status. RESULTS A total of 464 subjects (95.4% females, mean age 56 ± 5 years) with PBC were included. Three hundred and eighty-four (83%) subjects were AMA-positive, whereas 80 (17%) had AMA-negative PBC. Subjects with AMA-negative PBC were significantly younger (52.2 ± 14 vs. 59.6 ± 11 years, p = 0.001) and had their first symptom at an earlier age (43.2 ± 13 vs. 49.5 ± 12 years, p = 0.005). Frequency of type 2 diabetes was significantly increased in subjects with AMA-negative PBC (22.5% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.03). Lower IgM (272.2 ± 183 vs. 383.2 ± 378 mg/dL, p = 0.01) and triglycerides (107.6 ± 59.8 vs.129.3 ± 75.7 mg/dL, p = 0.025) and higher bilirubin (3.8 ± 13.5 vs. 1.8 ± 3.4 mg/dL, p = 0.02) levels were also observed in this subgroup. Response to ursodeoxycholic acid varied from 40.5 to 63.3% in AMA-positive and 34 to 62.3% in AMA-negative individuals, according to different response criteria. Outcomes such as development of liver-related complications, death and requirement for liver transplantation were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AMA-negative PBC patients are similar to their AMA-positive counterparts with subtle differences observed in clinical and laboratory features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Grossi Lopes Cançado
- Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Professor Alfredo Balena 110, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil.
- Hospital da Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Michelle Harriz Braga
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Lucia Gomes Ferraz
- Disciplina de Gastroenterologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Alves Villela-Nogueira
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho e Departamento de Clínica Médica da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Luiz Rachid Cançado
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus Jorge Nardelli
- Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Professor Alfredo Balena 110, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Luciana Costa Faria
- Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Professor Alfredo Balena 110, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vivian Rotman
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho e Departamento de Clínica Médica da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Beatriz Oliveira
- Ambulatório Municipal de Hepatites Virais de São José Dos Campos, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marlone Cunha-Silva
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia (Gastrocentro), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Liana Codes
- Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Hospital Português, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Valéria Ferreira de Almeida E Borges
- Instituto de Gastroenterologia, Endoscopia e Proctologia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabio Heleno de Lima Pace
- Serviço de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mario Guimarães Pessoa
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Izabelle Venturini Signorelli
- Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio Moraes, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Perdomo Coral
- Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulo Lisboa Bittencourt
- Hospital Português, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Levy
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cláudia Alves Couto
- Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Professor Alfredo Balena 110, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil
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Ahmad A, Dahle C, Rönnelid J, Sjöwall C, Kechagias S. Autoantibodies Associated with Autoimmune Liver Diseases in a Healthy Population: Evaluation of a Commercial Immunoblot Test. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071572. [PMID: 35885478 PMCID: PMC9320916 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies constitute important tools for diagnosing the autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis. The EUROLINE immunoblot assay, detecting multiple specificities, is widely used, but the clinical importance of weakly positive findings is unclear. The manufacturer’s recommended cut-off was evaluated by investigating AILD-associated autoantibodies in 825 blood donors and 60 confirmed AILD cases. Positive findings were followed up with immunofluorescence microscopy on rat tissue, anti-M2-ELISA, alternative immunoblot assay, and liver function tests. Thirty-six (4.4%) blood donors were positive with EUROLINE. The most common specificities were LC-1 (1.6%), gp210 (1.3%), and AMA-M2 (1.1%). In general, the positive results were higher in patients than in blood donors, whereas anti-LC-1 was higher in blood donors. The liver function tests were slightly elevated in 2 of the 36 immunoblot positive blood donors. The majority of the positive EUROLINE findings could not be confirmed with the follow-up tests. The EUROLINE-Autoimmune Liver Diseases-(IgG) immunoblot detected autoantibodies in 4.4% of blood donors without signs of AILD. Our findings indicate that the recommended cut-off can be raised for most specificities without loss of diagnostic sensitivity. The prevalence of anti-LC-1 among blood donors indicates a problem with the antigen source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awais Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection/Clinical Immunology & Transfusion Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
| | - Charlotte Dahle
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection/Clinical Immunology & Transfusion Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Johan Rönnelid
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Christopher Sjöwall
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection/Rheumatology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Stergios Kechagias
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Diagnostics and Specialist Medicine/Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
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Tornai D, Ven PL, Lakatos PL, Papp M. Serological biomarkers for management of primary sclerosing cholangitis. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2291-2301. [PMID: 35800183 PMCID: PMC9185217 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i21.2291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical manifestations and progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are heterogeneous, and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The importance of gut-liver interactions in the pathogenesis has been clinically confirmed and highlighted in different theories. Recent advances regarding biomarkers of biliary-gut crosstalk may help to identify clinically relevant PSC subgroups assisting everyday clinical work-up (e.g., diagnosis, disease stratification, or surveillance) and the exploration of potential therapeutic targets. Alkaline phosphatase produced by the biliary epithelium is consistently associated with prognosis. However, its level shows natural fluctuation limiting its use in individual patients. Inflammatory, cell activation, and tissue remodeling markers have been reported to predict clinical outcome. Elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 level is associated with a shorter transplantation-free survival. IgG type atypical perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCAs) are non-specific markers of various autoimmune liver diseases and may reflect an abnormal B-cell response to gut microbial antigens. IgG type atypical P-ANCA identifies PSC patients with particular clinical and genetic (for human leukocyte antigens) characteristics. The presence of IgA type anti-F-actin antibody (AAA) may predict a progressive disease course, and it is associated with enhanced mucosal immune response to various microbial antigens and enterocyte damage. IgA type anti-glycoprotein 2 (GP2) antibodies identify patients with a severe disease phenotype and poor survival due to enhanced fibrogenesis or development of cholangiocarcinoma. Elevated soluble vascular adhesion protein-1 (sVAP-1) level is associated with adverse disease outcomes in PSC. High sVAP-1 levels correlate with mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) expression in the liver that contributes to gut activated T-cell homing to the hepatobiliary tract. In the present paper, we review the evidence on these possible serological markers that could potentially help address the unmet clinical needs in PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Tornai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases, ERN RARE-LIVER, Debrecen H-4032, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
| | - Peter Laszlo Ven
- The First Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pécs, Pécs H-7624, Baranya, Hungary
- Kálmán Laki Doctoral School of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
| | - Peter Laszlo Lakatos
- Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal QC H4A 3J1, Quebec, Canada
- The First Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest H-1083, Pest, Hungary
| | - Maria Papp
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases, ERN RARE-LIVER, Debrecen H-4032, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
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Olivas I, Rodríguez-Tajes S, Londoño MC. Hepatitis autoinmune: retos y novedades. Med Clin (Barc) 2022; 159:289-298. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Lee K, Wei Y, Yeh M. A case of autoimmune hepatitis—Primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome without any associated autoantibody. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2022; 38:712-713. [DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kuan‐I Lee
- School of Medicine College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Ching Wei
- Department of Pathology School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Pathology Kaohsiung Municipal Ta‐Tung Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Ming‐Lun Yeh
- School of Medicine College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Division of Hepatobiliary Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
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GÖKBULUT V, ÖZTÜRK Ö, AKDOĞAN KAYHAN M, KAPLAN M, KACAR S, SÜMER H, GÖKBULUT P, ARI D, TURAN GÖKÇE D. Evaluation of esophageal motor functions in patients diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis. CUKUROVA MEDICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.17826/cumj.984551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Muñoz-Sánchez G, Pérez-Isidro A, Ortiz de Landazuri I, López-Gómez A, Bravo-Gallego LY, Garcia-Ormaechea M, Julià MR, Viñas O, Ruiz-Ortiz E. Working Algorithms and Detection Methods of Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Liver Disease: A Nationwide Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12030697. [PMID: 35328252 PMCID: PMC8947365 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12030697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoantibody detection is the cornerstone of autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) diagnosis. Standardisation of working algorithms among autoimmunity laboratories, as well as being aware of the sensitivity and specificity of various commercial techniques in daily practice, are still necessary. The aim of this nationwide study is to report the results of the 2020 Autoimmunity Workshop organised by the Autoimmunity Group of the Spanish Society of Immunology and to provide useful information to clinicians and laboratory specialists to improve the management of autoantibody detection in AILD diagnoses. Serum samples from 17 patients with liver diseases were provided by the organisers of the 2020 Autoimmunity Workshop and were subsequently analysed by the 40 participating laboratories. Each laboratory used different techniques for the detection of autoantibodies in each patients’ serum sample, according to their working algorithm. Thus, almost 680 total complete patient reports were obtained, and the number of results from different autoantibody detection techniques was >3000. Up to eight different working algorithms were employed, including indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and antigen-specific techniques (AgST). The IFA of HEp-2 cells was more sensitive than IFA of rat triple tissue for the study of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA) associated with AILD. The IFA of a human neutrophil study for the analysis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies was not carried out systemically in all patients, or by all laboratories. AgSTs were the most sensitive methods for the detection of anti-smooth muscle/F-actin, soluble liver antigen, liver cytosol-1, M2-mitochondrial autoantibodies, and ANA associated with primary biliary cholangitis. The main differences in AMA detection were due to patients with autoantibodies against the non-dominant epitope of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Given that they are complementary, IFA and AgST should be performed in parallel. If there is high suspicion of AILD, AgST should always be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Muñoz-Sánchez
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
| | - Albert Pérez-Isidro
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Ortiz de Landazuri
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio López-Gómez
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (A.L.-G.); (M.R.J.)
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Luz Yadira Bravo-Gallego
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Maria Rosa Julià
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (A.L.-G.); (M.R.J.)
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Odette Viñas
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estíbaliz Ruiz-Ortiz
- Department of Immunology, Centre de Diagnòstic Biomèdic, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170-Escala 4, Planta 0, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.M.-S.); (A.P.-I.); (I.O.d.L.); (L.Y.B.-G.); (O.V.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Irure-Ventura J, López-Hoyos M. The Past, Present, and Future in Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA). Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:647. [PMID: 35328200 PMCID: PMC8946865 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12030647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies are a hallmark of autoimmunity and, specifically, antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are the most relevant autoantibodies present in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Over the years, different methods from LE cell to HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), solid-phase assays (SPAs), and finally multianalyte technologies have been developed to study ANA-associated SARDs. All of them provide complementary information that is important to provide the most clinically valuable information. The identification of new biomarkers together with multianalyte platforms will help close the so-called "seronegative gap" and to correctly classify and diagnose patients with SARDs. Finally, artificial intelligence and machine learning is an area still to be exploited but in a next future will help to extract patterns within patient data, and exploit these patterns to predict patient outcomes for improved clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Irure-Ventura
- Immunology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Spain;
- Autoimmunity and Transplantation Research Group, Research Institute “Marqués de Valdecilla” (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Marcos López-Hoyos
- Immunology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Spain;
- Autoimmunity and Transplantation Research Group, Research Institute “Marqués de Valdecilla” (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain
- Molecular Biology Department, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
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van Beers JJBC, Koek GH, Damoiseaux JGMC. The Role of Autoantibodies in the Diagnosis of Autoimmune Liver Disease: Lessons Learned from Clinical Practice. J Appl Lab Med 2022; 7:259-267. [PMID: 34996079 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfab099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are autoimmune liver diseases associated with distinct autoantibodies. Diagnosis is based upon clinical, serological, and histopathology findings. The role of autoantibodies in the diagnosis of these autoimmune liver diseases, with the focus on PBC and AIH, will be discussed. CONTENT When AIH or PBC is suspected, testing for multiple autoantibodies can be requested. In this mini-review, the different ways in which autoantibodies can be tested (indirect immunofluorescence and antigen-specific tests) in the context of PBC and AIH are discussed, as well as the pitfalls in interpreting the test results. SUMMARY For appropriate interpretation of test results, an important prerequisite is that the doctor knows which test is used in the laboratory of choice and that the laboratory specialist is aware of what the doctor wants to test for. Good communication between clinician and laboratory specialist can, therefore, aid in the diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce J B C van Beers
- Department of Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ger H Koek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan G M C Damoiseaux
- Department of Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Martin J, Petryayeva E, Khan WI. Autoantibodies in Common Connective Tissue Diseases: A Primer for Laboratory Professionals. J Appl Lab Med 2022; 7:114-136. [DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfab131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autoimmune connective tissue disorders are a significant health concern throughout the world with an estimated prevalence of 3% to 5%. They are associated with a variety of autoantibodies that play roles in their diagnosis, risk stratification, prognostication, and/or management. While some autoantibodies have been well-characterized for use in clinical laboratories, many more are in the research stage. Rapid transition from research to clinical practice, lack of clinical guidelines, and harmonization across a rapidly growing number of commercially available tests create numerous challenges to clinicians and laboratories.
Content
This article briefly discusses common connective tissue disorders and their association with well-known autoantibodies, describes current methods used in clinical laboratories, and outlines their advantages and limitations in the context of these diseases.
Summary
Understanding the role of specific autoantibodies and various methodologies for autoantibody testing are important for laboratory professionals who may be introducing/repatriating new tests, updating existing tests, or advising clinicians/patients about testing options/results. Collaboration between laboratory professional staff and clinicians, around the advantages and limitations of each methodology, is also important in their appropriate clinical utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Martin
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Eleonora Petryayeva
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Waliul I Khan
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Autoimmune Hepatitis: Serum Autoantibodies in Clinical Practice. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2022; 63:124-137. [PMID: 34491531 PMCID: PMC9464171 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08888-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Circulating autoantibodies are a key diagnostic tool in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), being positive in 95% of the cases if tested according to dedicated guidelines issued by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. They also allow the distinction between type 1 AIH, characterized by positive anti-nuclear and/or anti-smooth muscle antibody, and type 2 AIH, characterized by positive anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1 and/or anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibody. Anti-soluble liver antigen is the only AIH-specific autoantibody, and is found in 20-30% of both type 1 and type 2 AIH. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody is frequently positive in type 1 AIH, being associated also with inflammatory bowel disease and with primary/autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis. The reference method for autoantibody testing remains indirect immunofluorescence on triple tissue (rodent liver, kidney and stomach), allowing both the detection of the majority of liver-relevant reactivities, including those autoantibodies whose molecular target antigens are unknown. Of note, the current knowledge of the clinical significance of autoantibodies relies on studies based on this technique. However, immunofluorescence requires trained laboratory personnel, is observer-dependent, and lacks standardization, leading to ongoing attempts at replacing this method with automated assays, the sensitivity, and specificity of which, however, require further studies before they can be used as a reliable alternative to immunofluorescence; currently, they may be used as complementary to immunofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- grid.29078.340000 0001 2203 2861Epatocentro Ticino & Facoltà Di Scienze Biomediche, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland ,grid.29078.340000 0001 2203 2861Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland ,grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020King’s College London Faculty of Life Sciences &, Medicine At King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020King’s College London Faculty of Life Sciences &, Medicine At King’s College Hospital, London, UK ,grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Diego Vergani
- grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020King’s College London Faculty of Life Sciences &, Medicine At King’s College Hospital, London, UK ,grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
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47
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Andrade LEC, Damoiseaux J, Vergani D, Fritzler MJ. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as a criterion for classification and diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. J Transl Autoimmun 2022; 5:100145. [PMID: 35128372 PMCID: PMC8804266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2022.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The classification and diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases are frequently based on a collection of criteria composed of clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathology elements that are strongly associated with the respective disease. Autoantibodies are a distinctive hallmark and have a prominent position in the classification criteria of many autoimmune diseases. The indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells (HEp-2 IFA), historically known as the antinuclear antibody test, is a method capable of detecting a wide spectrum of autoantibodies. A positive HEp-2 IFA test is part of the classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), as well as the diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). A positive HEp-2 IFA test can appear as different morphological patterns that are indicative of the most probable autoantibody specificities in the sample. Only some of the HEp-2 IFA patterns are associated with the specific autoantibodies relevant to SLE, JIA, AIH, and PBC, whereas some other patterns occur mainly in non-related conditions and even in apparently healthy individuals. This paper provides a critical review on the subject and proposes that the classification and diagnostic criteria for SLE, JIA, AIH, and PBC could be improved by a modification on the HEp-2 IFA (ANA) criterion in that the staining patterns accepted for each of these diseases should be restricted according to the respective relevant autoantibody specificities. Autoantibodies play a prominent role in the classification or diagnostic criteria of many autoimmune diseases. ANA test is part of the classification criteria for SLE and JIA, as well as the diagnostic criteria for AIH. Different HEp-2 IFA patterns indicate different autoantibodies and only some are associated with a specific disease. ANA classification/diagnostic criteria should reflect the HEp-2 IFA patterns associated to the relevant autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Eduardo C. Andrade
- Rheumatology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Immunology Division, Fleury Medicine and Health Laboratories, São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Rua Luis de França Jr 201, casa 8. São Paulo, SP, CEP 04648-070, Brazil.
| | - Jan Damoiseaux
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Diego Vergani
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marvin J. Fritzler
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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48
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Khayat A, Vitola B. Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Autoantibodies in Children with Overweight and Obesity with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Pediatr 2021; 239:155-160. [PMID: 34454951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of autoantibodies in children with overweight and obesity with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared with those with autoimmune liver disease (ALD). STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of children with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of NAFL, NASH, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and a body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile treated between 2007 and 2016. RESULTS A total of 181 patients were identified, including 31 (17%) with NAFL, 121 (67%) with NASH, 12 (6.6%) with ALD (AIH, PSC, or overlap), and 17 (9.4%) with combined ALD and NAFLD. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-actin antibody, and anti-liver kidney microsomal (LKM) antibody were positive in 16.1%, 13.8%, and 0%, respectively, of the patients with NAFL and in 32.8%, 15.5%, and 0%, respectively, of those with NASH. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) was elevated in 27.3% of the patients with NAFL and in 47.7% of those with NASH, but in 100% of those with ALD. The positive predictive value of LKM was 100% for ALD but only 29% for ANA and 46% for anti-actin antibody. CONCLUSIONS False-positive rates of autoantibodies were higher in pediatric patients with overweight and obesity with NAFLD compared with the general adult population. Positive LKM had the highest specificity and positive predictive value, and elevated IgG level had the highest sensitivity for ALD. The presence of autoantibodies does not signal more severe NAFLD in children. BMI >98th percentile seems to be an important breakpoint above which ALD is less likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar Khayat
- Department of Pediatrics, Umm Al Qura University, Al Abdeyah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Bernadette Vitola
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
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von Mühlen CA, Garcia-De La Torre I, Infantino M, Damoiseaux J, Andrade LEC, Carballo OG, Conrad K, Francescantonio PLC, Fritzler MJ, Herold M, Klotz W, de Melo Cruvinel W, Mimori T, Satoh M, Musset L, Chan EKL. How to report the antinuclear antibodies (anti-cell antibodies) test on HEp-2 cells: guidelines from the ICAP initiative. Immunol Res 2021; 69:594-608. [PMID: 34625914 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Results of the anti-nuclear antibodies-indirect immunofluorescence assay (anti-cell antibodies test) on HEp-2 cell substrates should be communicated to clinicians in a standardized way, adding value to laboratory findings and helping with critical clinical decisions. This paper proposes a test report based on the practices informed by 118 laboratories in 68 countries, with recommendations from the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) group. Major focus is placed on the report format containing endpoint titers, immunofluorescence patterns together with anti-cell (AC) nomenclature, remarks on follow-up or reflex testing, and possible other autoantibody associations. ISO 15,189 directives were integrated into the test report. Special situations addressed include serum screening dilutions and endpoint titers, relevance of immunofluorescence patterns with special attention to cytoplasmic patterns, mixed and compound patterns, and how to report different titers corresponding to multiple patterns or autoantibodies in the same sample. This paper suggests a subtitle for the HEp-2-IIFA, namely anti-cell antibodies test, which could gradually substitute the original outdated ANA nomenclature. This ICAP pro forma report represents a further step in harmonizing the way relevant clinical information could be provided by laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto von Mühlen
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Rheumatology Unit, Porto Alegre, Brazil. .,Consultant in Rheumatology and Clinical Pathology, San Diego, USA.
| | - Ignacio Garcia-De La Torre
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Hospital General de Occidente, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Maria Infantino
- Immunology and Allergy Laboratory, San Giovanni Di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Jan Damoiseaux
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Luis E C Andrade
- Rheumatology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Immunology Division, Fleury Medicine and Health Laboratories, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Orlando Gabriel Carballo
- Laboratory of Immunology, Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karsten Conrad
- Institute of Immunology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Marvin J Fritzler
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Manfred Herold
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Klotz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Tsuneyo Mimori
- Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, and Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Minoru Satoh
- Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Lucile Musset
- Department of Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Edward K L Chan
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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50
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Yehezkel E, Israel I, Houri I, Leshno M, Shibolet O, Zigmond E. Real-World Management of Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis-A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Medical Center in Israel. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10194551. [PMID: 34640567 PMCID: PMC8509713 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune liver disease with variation in prevalence, phenotype and prognosis across different geographical regions. Little is known about PBC in Israel. Our aim was to characterize the demography, clinical presentation, treatment patterns and prognosis in a cohort of PBC patients followed in a referral center in central Israel. Methods: Clinical, demographic and laboratory data were collected from the medical records of PBC patients followed at Tel Aviv Medical Center in the years 2003–2020. Results: We have identified 189 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PBC; 92.6% were female and the mean age at diagnosis was 54.7 years. Thirty-nine percent were diagnosed with another autoimmune disease and 5.9% were diagnosed with a PBC-AIH (autoimmune hepatitis) variant syndrome. Ninety-six percent were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) at a mean dose of 13.3 mg/kg. A total of 28.1% were found with inadequate response to UDCA according to the Toronto criteria, and 53% of the UDCA non-responders were treated with bezafibrate. Younger age at diagnosis, higher baseline levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), AIH-PBC variant and positive anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) were associated with an inadequate UDCA response. In a multivariable analysis, higher ALP at diagnosis (OR = 1.92 CI 1.11–3.20 per 50-unit change, p = 0.018) and ASMA (OR = 27.6 CI 2.58–295, p = 0.006) independently predicted inadequate UDCA response. Higher alanine transaminase (ALT), ALP and GGT, lower albumin, younger age at diagnosis and pruritus conferred an increased risk for disease progression. Conclusions: Disease characteristics, treatment patterns, response to therapy and prognosis of a PBC patient cohort in a tertiary center in central Israel were revealed. The results highlight the importance of risk stratification in PBC, specifically in younger patients, those presenting with a high level of liver enzymes and in ASMA-positive patients with an assumed diagnosis of the AIH-PBC variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Yehezkel
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; (E.Y.); (I.H.); (M.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Inbal Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Inbal Houri
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; (E.Y.); (I.H.); (M.L.); (O.S.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Moshe Leshno
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; (E.Y.); (I.H.); (M.L.); (O.S.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Oren Shibolet
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; (E.Y.); (I.H.); (M.L.); (O.S.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Ehud Zigmond
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; (E.Y.); (I.H.); (M.L.); (O.S.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Correspondence:
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