Auto antibodies in Nigerian lupus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has hitherto been uncommonly reported among Nigerians and other black Africans. Recently, however, there have been increasing number of reports. The auto antibodies are diagnostic hallmarks in SLE and are also of significance in terms of prognosis and organ involvements. There have been scanty reports on the auto-antibodies profiles in black African SLE patients.

The objective of this study was to highlight the auto antibodies profile of SLE patients seen in a private practice rheumatology clinic in Lagos, Nigeria as well as to review the literature.

This was a retrospective study of serology profiles of all SLE patients seen in a private practice clinic. Patients were diagnosed using the American College of Rheumatology Criteria for SLE. Sera were sent to Pathcare Laboratory, an internationally certified facility in Lagos.

ANA was present in 95.7% of the patients and were mostly in high titres with speckled staining pattern on immunofluorescence. Other auto antibodies seen include Anti dsDNA( 54.4%); Anti Sm (75.2%); Anti RNP (81.8%); ENA screen( 79.5%); Ro/SSA (69.7%); Anti chromatin( 66.7%).

ANA is sensitive in diagnosis of SLE being present usually in high titres most of the patients. The frequency of some of the other serology profiles are similar to those seen in other SLE populations but differ in others. The value of auto antibodies in the diagnosis and their association with specific organ involvement is also confirmed.