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D8/17 expression on B lymphocytes in anorexia nervosa
Mae S Sokol1, Pamela E Ward, Hiroko Tamiya
1Creighton University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital, Omaha, NE 68114, USA. sokolms@aol.com
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|August 3, 2002
Summary
The D8/17 marker may indicate a susceptibility to pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) anorexia nervosa. Further research is needed to confirm D8/17 as a reliable diagnostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Rheumatic fever susceptibility is linked to the D8/17 marker.
- Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) is a condition affecting children.
- Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with potential autoimmune links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the D8/17 marker, associated with rheumatic fever, is present in patients with PANDAS anorexia nervosa.
- To explore a potential link between a specific genetic marker and a subtype of anorexia nervosa.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence was used to measure D8/17-positive B lymphocytes in 16 patients (ages 7-21) with possible PANDAS anorexia nervosa.
- A comparison group of 17 psychiatric patients without eating disorders or PANDAS characteristics was included.
- D8/17 positivity was defined as 12% or more D8/17+ cells.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher percentage of individuals with PANDAS anorexia nervosa were D8/17-positive (81%) compared to controls (12%).
- Patients with PANDAS anorexia nervosa showed a higher mean percentage of D8/17+ cells (27.1%) than the control group (5.3%).
Conclusions:
- The D8/17 marker may be associated with susceptibility to PANDAS anorexia nervosa.
- A larger-scale study is required to validate D8/17 as a potential diagnostic marker for this condition.