Detection of autoantibodies to Ro(SS-A), La(SS-B) and U1RNP in different congenital heart rhythm disorders using immunoblot and enzyme immunoassay.

The aim of the study was to determine if autoantibodies have distinctive qualitative or quantitative characteristics in children with congenital heart rhythm disorders compared to unaffected infants. Sera of fifty-three infants with different heart rhythm disorders and eight unaffected children born to SLE mothers were tested for antibodies to Ro(SS-A), La(SS-B) and U1RNP (including recombinant A-, C-, 68 kD-proteins) using enzyme immunoassays and immunoblot. 21 sera from affected and 8 sera from healthy children reacted in counter-immunoelectrophoresis with Ro(SS-A).

Investigations into Ro-specific antibody-associated congenital cardiac conduction defects.

Forty-two babies with different congenital cardiac conduction defects, and in 12 cases the mothers, were tested for autoantibodies to Ro, La, U1RNP and Sm. Ro-specific antibodies were detected most frequently. They were to be found in 16 sera from infants and in 8 maternal serum samples.