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[Presence and significance of anticardiolipin antibodies in infectious diseases]
A Barrile1, P Quattrocchi, D Bonanno
1Istituto di Patologia medica e Medicina mediterranea, Università, Messina.
Insights
This study measured anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in patients with various infections. Elevated aCL levels were found in 27.4% of patients, but did not alter disease outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Serology
Background:
- Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are associated with certain autoimmune conditions.
- The presence and significance of aCL in various infectious diseases require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies in patients with diverse infectious diseases.
- To assess the clinical implications of aCL positivity in the context of infections.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify aCL levels.
- Sera from 135 patients across multiple infectious disease cohorts were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Increased aCL levels were detected in 37 out of 135 patients (27.4%).
- Prevalence varied significantly, ranging from 7.3% in toxoplasmosis to 80% in HIV infection.
- High-titer aCL was observed in 9 patients, predominantly those with HIV infection.
Conclusions:
- Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are present in a notable proportion of patients with various infections.
- aCL positivity did not appear to influence the clinical presentation or prognosis of the studied infectious diseases.
Abstract:
IgG and IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies were measured, by an ELISA technique, in the sera of patients with B hepatitis (28), infectious mononucleosis (10), chicken pox (12), HIV infection (20), acquired toxoplasmosis (41) and other infectious diseases [HBsAg+ chronic hepatitis (5), brucellosis (6), herpes zoster (4), boutonneuse fever (3), viral pneumonitis (4), rheumatic fever (2)]. Increased levels of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), at least in one immunoglobulin class, were detected in 37 out of 135 patients [27.4%; range: 7.3% (in the patients with toxoplasmosis) -80% (in the patients with HIV infection)]. Low or medium titer aCL were present in 28 patients, high titer in 9 (6 with HIV infection, 2 with chicken pox and I with lymphoadenopathic toxoplasmosis). None of the manifestations associated with aCL was present in the aCL-positive patients. Finally, positivity for aCL didn't seem to modify the clinical picture and the prognosis of the infectious disease.