Impact of VSIG4 gene polymorphisms on susceptibility and functional status of rheumatoid arthritis.

The complement receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily (CRIg, encoded by the VSIG4 gene) is a macrophage receptor involved in the clearance of immune complexes and autologous cells. Our results suggest that the VSIG4 rs1044165T allele is a risk factor for severe functional status of rheumatoid arthritis in women, possibly by affecting VSIG4 gene expression.

Prevalence of anemia in schools of the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Brazil.

Background: Anemia during childhood is one of the biggest public health problems worldwide, including Brazil. Insufficient or abnormal production of hemoglobin, loss of iron and excessive destruction of red blood cells are the most common causes of anemia. Among the reasons of anemia, iron deficiency accounts for 50% of anemia cases in developing countries.

Update on Biologic Therapies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease driven by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Despite the advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the last decades, SLE still leads to significant morbidity and increased mortality. Although a cure for SLE is still unknown, treatment is required to control acute disease exacerbation episodes (flares), decrease the frequency and severity of subsequent lupus flares, address comorbidities, and prevent end-organ damage.

Screening of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease from Southern Brazil.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in adults with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) from the endocrinology outpatient setting in a university hospital in Southern Brazil.

Subjects And Methods: From the years 2007 to 2011, 254 patients with ATD were enrolled consecutively, Grave's disease was diagnosed in 143 (56.3%) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 111 (43.

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.

Antibodies anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) do not differentiate Crohn's disease from celiac disease.

Context: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), considered serologic markers for Crohn's disease, were described in patients with celiac disease, disappearing after a gluten-free diet.

Objectives: Evaluation of ASCA positivity in patients with Crohn's disease and celiac disease in relation to healthy individuals.

Methods: A total of 145 individuals were studied: 36 with Crohn's disease and 52 with celiac disease, that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for both affections, and 57 healthy individuals for control.

Serological and clinical follow-up of relatives of celiac disease patients from southern Brazil.

Background/aims: In this study, a clinical and serological follow-up of 8-10 years was performed in relatives of celiac disease (CD) patients from southern Brazil. The occurrence of new CD cases in the families and the use of two different IgA-tTG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were also evaluated.

Methods: Serum samples of 233 relatives, 186 recruited between 1997 and 2000 (phase I) and 138 between 2006 and 2007 (phase II: 91 of the follow-up group and 47 newly tested), were analyzed.

Celiac disease in native Indians from Brazil: A clinical and epidemiological survey.

Background: Celiac disease has been described in populations from around the world, with recent data emphasizing the occurrence of the disease in ethnic minorities. There are only a few studies evaluating celiac disease in native Indians.

Aims: This study aimed to screen the anti-endomysial antibody (IgA-EmA) in Kaingang and Guarani Indians from southern Brazil, in order to establish a clinical serological evaluation of celiac disease in these individuals.

Diagnostic role and clinical association of ASCA and ANCA in Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisae antibody (ASCA) and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody (pANCA) remain the most well-established markers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and both may be associated with disease phenotype.

Aim: To determine the utility of ASCA and pANCA as markers in a Brazilian cohort of IBD patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 90 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 77 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 57 healthy individuals were included in the study.

High prevalence of rheumatoid factor associated with clinical manifestations of rheumatic disease in Kaingang and Guarani Indians from Southern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to perform a screening for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-nuclear antibody in Kaingang, Guarani and Mestizos individuals from Mangueirinha Reservation, State of Paraná, Brazil, and associate it with demographic and clinical data. Serum samples from 321 aborigines (125 male and 196 female; 4-86 years old) and 180 non-Indians healthy individuals were analysed (62 male and 118 female; 2-81 years old). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was tested by indirect immunofluorescence, and RF by agglutination in latex and turbidimetry.

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).

[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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and anti-endomysial antibodies.

Background: Several autoimmune diseases may occur in the same patient. Celiac disease (CD) is found in patients with diabetes mellitus type-1 and thyroiditis. Few studies have addressed the association between CD and rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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.

[Genetics and immunopathogenics aspects of the celiac disease: a recent vision].

Background: Celiac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a strongly inherited condition. Although the genetic association of CD with the DQ2 and DQ8 HLA haplotypes has been known for long, others HLA and non-HLA genes are also important in the development of the disease. Celiac disease results of the combined effect of different normally functioning genes' products.

IgA class anti-endomysial and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in relation to duodenal mucosa changes in coeliac disease.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to correlate the serological methods of coeliac disease diagnostic tests (IgA EmA and IgA anti-tTG) with the histological findings of the duodenal mucosa.

Methods And Results: Forty-seven patients were studied and the data were analysed by the Pearson correlation. Seven patients (15%) with normal mucosa were negative for both assays.