Analysis of four serum biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis: association with extra articular manifestations in patients and arthralgia in relatives.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of four serum biomarkers in RA patients and their relatives and identify possible associations with clinical findings of the disease.

Methods: This was a transversal analytical study. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) and IgA-rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined by ELISA and IgM-RF by latex agglutination in 210 RA patients, 198 relatives and 92 healthy controls from Southern Brazil.

Microsatellite instability--MSI markers (BAT26, BAT25, D2S123, D5S346, D17S250) in rectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer has an important genetic component. Microsatellites are considered phenotypic markers of prognosis, therapeutic response and identify patients with mutations in DNA repair genes.

Aim: To evaluate the molecular profile of tumors underwent to transanal endoscopic microsurgery-TEM in surgical treatment of rectal cancer.

Autoantibodies in relatives of celiac disease patients: a follow-up of 6-10 years.

Context: Autoimmune diseases are 3 to 10 times more frequently in patients with celiac disease and their relatives than in the general population.

Objective: To investigate a broad spectrum of autoantibodies in celiac disease relatives from Southern Brazil, in a serological follow-up of 6-10 years, aiming to associate with other autoimmune diseases, degree of parentage, demographic and clinical data.

Methods: Serum samples of 233 relatives were analyzed in two different phases: n = 186 in phase I (1997-2000) and n = 138 (being 91 = follow-up group and 47 = newly tested) in phase II (2006-2007).

Association of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies with extra-articular manifestations, gender, and tabagism in rheumatoid arthritis patients from southern Brazil.

Gender and environmental factors are known to influence the clinical heterogeneity and outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some variables have been suggested to be associated with the severity of the disease, which can be of great value in the correct management of RA patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among anticyclic citrullinated antibody (anti-CCP2) positivity, extra-articular manifestations (EAM), gender, and tobacco exposure in a Brazilian RA population.

Autoantibodies for gastrointestinal organ-specific autoimmune diseases in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their relatives.

Background: Clustering of autoimmune diseases is common and may be due to genetic background and exposition to environmental triggers.

Objective: The aim is to carry out a laboratory and clinical study of the prevalence of gastrointestinal organ-specific autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their relatives.

Methods: Serum samples of 156 RA patients, 200 relatives, and 100 healthy controls were studied for anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA), anti-mitochondrial (AMA), anti-parietal cell (APCA), anti-liver-kidney microsome (LKM), and anti-endomysium antibodies (IgA-EmA) by indirect immunofluorescence.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis patients and relatives from Brazil.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and RF in RA patients and their relatives from Southern Brazil.

Methods: Anti-CCP2 and IgM-RF were evaluated in 156 RA patients and 200 relatives. Sera from 100 healthy unrelated individuals were used as control.

[Serological screening of relatives of celiac disease patients: antiendomysium antibodies, anti-tissue transglutaminase or both?].

Background: Celiac disease is the most common intestinal disorder of caucasian populations and presents a prevalence of 8% to 18% between the relatives of patients. The anti-endomysial (IgA-EmA) and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA-tTG) have represented an important non invasive and sensitivity method of screening and diagnosis of celiac disease in risk groups and populations.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of IgA-EmA and IgA-tTG antibodies in relatives of celiac patients and verify the degree of concordance between them.

Autoantibodies in patients with Down syndrome: early senescence of the immune system or precocious markers for immunological diseases?

Aims: Down syndrome (DS) patients present several immunological disturbances, with high rates of infections, malignancies and autoimmune phenomena. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of autoantibodies in children and adolescents with DS that are not usually investigated, and to establish possible clinical and laboratory associations.

Methods: One hundred and fifty Caucasoid DS patients from southern Brazil (93M, 57F; median age 4 years) and 105 healthy children (58M, 47F; median age 8 years) were evaluated for the presence of anti-mitochondrial (AMA), smooth-muscle (SMA), liver-kidney microsomal (LKM), nuclear (ANA), gastric parietal cell (GPC) and neutrophil cytoplasmic (ANCA) antibodies, by indirect immunofluorescence, and rheumatoid factor (RF), by turbidimetry.

Serum mannan-binding lectin levels in patients with celiac disease: an analysis of clinical and autoimmune features.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is the central protein in the activation of complement through the lectin pathway. MBL plasma concentration is genetically determined and varies significantly among individuals. Recent findings suggest that MBL is associated with the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD).

High positivity of anti-CCP antibodies in patients with Down syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies in patients with Down's syndrome (DS) previously tested for IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and to correlate the results with clinical findings. Eighty-eight patients with DS previously tested for IgM-RF were divided into two groups matched for sex and age. Group A consists of 42 RF positive patients and group B of 44 RF negative patients.

Celiac disease in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Objectives: High prevalence rates of celiac disease in patients with Down syndrome have been reported in several countries. However, in Brazil there is no data regarding this association. In this study we report the prevalence of celiac disease in Down syndrome children and adolescents from southern Brazil.