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DNA-binding antibodies and hepatitis B markers in acute and chronic liver disease
Insights
Antibodies to double-stranded DNA were detected in all liver disease patients and HBsAg carriers studied. Elevated levels were most prominent in chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis, suggesting a link with hepatitis B infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Antibodies to double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) are associated with autoimmune diseases.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant cause of liver disease worldwide.
- The role of anti-dsDNA in viral hepatitis, particularly HBV infection, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and levels of antibodies to double-stranded DNA in patients with acute and chronic liver disease.
- To examine the association between anti-dsDNA antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers.
- To explore the correlation of anti-dsDNA antibodies with disease activity and other serological markers in different geographical cohorts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Farr technique for the quantitative assay of anti-dsDNA antibodies in patient serum.
- Analyzed serum samples from patients with acute and chronic liver disease and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.
- Compared antibody levels and disease characteristics between cohorts from the United Kingdom and Iraq.
Main Results:
- Anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected in all studied groups from both the UK and Iraq.
- The highest antibody levels were observed in patients with chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- A strong positive correlation between DNA-binding antibody levels and hepatitis B markers was found in Iraqi patients, but not disease activity.
- Ninety-five percent of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers exhibited elevated DNA-binding antibodies.
Conclusions:
- The presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies is common in patients with liver disease and HBsAg carriers.
- Hepatitis B virus infection, specifically hepatitis B-specific DNA, may act as a trigger for anti-dsDNA antibody formation.
- In liver disease, multiple factors likely contribute to the development of anti-dsDNA antibodies.
Abstract:
A Farr technique has been used to assay antibodies to double-stranded DNA in the serum of patients with acute and chronic liver disease and carriers of HBsAg from the United Kingdom and Iraq. These antibodies were found in all groups from both countries. The highest levels were found in chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. In the Iraqi patients there was a strongly positive correlation between DNA-binding antibody levels and the presence of hepatitis B markers but not with disease activity. In the patients from the United Kingdom there was little correlation with disease activity and none with autoantibodies. Ninety-five per cent of asymptomatic carriers of HBsAG had elevated DNA-binding antibodies. It is suggested that hepatitis B-specific DNA might be one trigger to DNA antibody formation, though in liver disease a variety of factors are clearly operative.