Antibodies against the COOH-terminal region of E. coli ClpP protease in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background/aims: The presence of antibodies in sera from patients with autoimmune diseases is an important tool for diagnosis and for providing insights into the mechanisms leading to autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to characterize new reactive antigens in liver autoimmune diseases.

Methods: Sera of patients with liver-related autoimmune (n=74) and non-liver-related autoimmune (n= 211) diseases, non-autoimmune liver diseases (n=18) and healthy controls (n=160) were evaluated for antibodies against E.

Anticardiolipin antibodies in autoimmune thyroid disease.

IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies were assayed by an ELISA technique in 69 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and compared with 43 patients with thyroid disease of no autoimmune aetiology (non-ATD) and 72 healthy controls. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were detectable in 3 of 41 patients with Graves' disease, in 4 of 28 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, in 5 of 43 non-ATD patients and in 3 of 72 normal subjects (differences not significant). IgM antibodies were measurable in 3 patients with Graves' disease, in 1 patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, in 1 non-ATD patient and in 2 normal subjects (differences not significant).