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Antineuronal antibodies in rheumatic chorea
A A Kotby1, N El Badawy, S El Sokkary
1Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. hsalman@idsc.gov.eg
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology
|November 5, 1998
Summary
Antineuronal antibodies (ANeurA) are prevalent in rheumatic chorea (RhCh) patients, correlating with disease activity but not attack severity. This supports autoimmunity in RhCh pathogenesis and suggests corticosteroid use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Neuroimmunology
- Autoimmune Disorders
Background:
- Rheumatic chorea (RhCh) is a neurological disorder often linked to autoimmune processes.
- The role of antineuronal antibodies (ANeurA) in RhCh pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
- Understanding disease activity and chronicity markers is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect antineuronal antibodies (ANeurA) in children with acute, chronic, and past rheumatic chorea (RhCh).
- To correlate ANeurA presence with disease activity, chronicity, and attack characteristics.
- To investigate the role of humoral immunity in RhCh pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence technique was employed to detect ANeurA in patient sera.
- Study included 40 children with RhCh and 40 healthy controls.
- ANeurA levels were assessed against disease activity, chronicity, and attack history.
Main Results:
- ANeurA were detected in 100% of acute, 93% of chronic, and 44% of past RhCh cases; absent in controls.
- ANeurA presence significantly correlated with active RhCh (acute and chronic) (P < 0.01).
- No correlation found between ANeurA and chorea attack severity, number, or duration.
Conclusions:
- Results strongly support autoimmunity as the basis for RhCh pathogenesis.
- ANeurA presence is linked to RhCh activity, not chronicity or attack severity.
- Corticosteroid therapy is suggested for acute RhCh to prevent neuronal damage and chronicity.