Evaluation of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in relation to rheumatological manifestations in patients with leprosy from Southern Brazil.

Background: Leprosy patients may present several osteoarticular complaints, which require further evaluation of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, an adequate clinical assessment in addition to testing for rheumatoid factors (RF) and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), can be useful in order to establish the correct diagnosis.

Method: In this study, the relation of RF and anti-CCP with rheumatological manifestations was evaluated in 97 leprosy patients from Southern Brazil.

Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis in Brazilian twins: a long-term follow-up and screening of their relatives.

Objectives: To investigate three pairs of twins with celiac disease (CD) concerning clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and long-follow-up, besides screening CD in their first-degree relatives.

Patients/methods: CD was diagnosed in childhood by endoscopic duodenal biopsy in two monozygotic (MZ) female pairs (A1 and A2, B1 and B2) and one dizygotic (DZ) pair, in which the male (C1) had CD and the female (C2) was negative. The patients had periodic evaluations after a gluten-free diet (GFD) for 16 to 21 years.

Mannan-binding lectin levels related to spontaneous abortion in Brazilian patients with celiac disease.

Low concentration of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) has been related to unexplained spontaneous abortion (SA), which has also been observed in an increased frequency in patients with celiac disease (CD). In this study, plasma levels of MBL were determined in patients with CD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in order to investigate whether there is an association of MBL levels and the occurrence of SA in these patients. MBL concentration was determined in 46 patients with CD (28 without and 18 with report of SA) and 38 patients with IBS (25 without and 13 with report of SA).

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).

Thyroid disorders in Brazilian patients with celiac disease.

Introduction/aim: Patients with celiac disease (CD) can develop a gluten related autoimmune disorder that affects not only the small intestine but other tissues as well. An increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases has been reported, particularly autoimmune thyroiditis. The aim of this study was to characterize thyroid disorders in patients with CD.