Assessment of the Frequency of Autoantibodies in Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Abstract

Objective:To examine the occurrence frequency of auto-antibodies and autoimmune diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C.Methods:A total of 67 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and 77 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C infection based on HBs Ag, Anti HCV, HBe Ag, Anti HBe Ag, HBV DNA, HCV RNA, liver ultrasound, and liver biopsy results as well as 48 healthy individuals were included in this study. ANA, anti dsDNA, anti LKM, Anti-SMA, AMA, C-ANCA, P-ANCA, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Scl-70, anti Jo-1, anti-U1snRNP, anti-centromere, anti-Jo-1, anti tpo, and anti tg were studied in all individuals in each study group.Results:ANA positivity was detected in 8 (12%), 15 (19%) and 2 (4%) individuals in HBV, HCV and control groups, respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (P=0.04). Similarly, anti Tg was positive in one subject in HBV group, in 6 subjects (7%) in HCV group, and in one subject among controls, the difference being significant (P=0.04). There were no significant differences between the study groups in the frequency of other auto-antibodies.Conclusion:Similar to studies involving patients who received interferon and/or antiviral agents, an increased frequency of auto-antibodies was also detected in our patient group consisting of interferon and anti-viral naive subjects. The increase in the frequency of auto-antibodies reached statistical significance among individuals with HCV infection. Thus, pre-treatment assessment of auto-antibodies in newly diagnosed cases of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection may provide beneficial information on the future occurrence of auto-immune responses in these patients.

Anti‐ENA antibody profiles in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

“…Comparison to a 1:80 was used since ANA titers less than or equal to 1:80 may have variable clinical significance . In this respect, the 14% positivity rate in our study compares relatively well to other studies in which the ANA positivity rate for HCV serologically positive patients was 12%‐17.9% …”

“…15 In this respect, the 14% positivity rate in our study compares relatively well to other studies in which the ANA positivity rate for HCV serologically positive patients was 12%-17.9%. [7][8][9] Additionally, we found anti-ENA Studies comparing the BioPlex multiplex assay with IFA generally show good sensitivity, specificity, and agreement. A recent study showed 82.2% positive agreement, 83.7% negative agreement, and 83.3% overall agreement of the BioPlex multiplex system with IFA.…”

“…The most useful studies of hepatitis C and ANA positivity, however, are those that directly compare chronic hepatitis C patients to control groups using the same methodology. [7][8][9] In these studies, the ANA positivity rate in the HCV patient group varied from 12%-17.6% vs 3%-4% in the control group. All of these studies, however, used the standard method indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) as the methodology to screen for the detection of ANA.…”

“…However, reports of ANA prevalence range vary widely from 3% to 41%. The most useful studies of hepatitis C and ANA positivity, however, are those that directly compare chronic hepatitis C patients to control groups using the same methodology . In these studies, the ANA positivity rate in the HCV patient group varied from 12%‐17.6% vs 3%‐4% in the control group.…”

Regulatory and activated effector T cells in chronic hepatitis C virus: Relation to autoimmunity

“…More recently, Acay et al[9] stated that the auto-antibodies in chronic HCV infection are highly incident. The authors stated that high percentages of patients with chronic hepatitis C had anti-mitochondrial antibodies, anti-smooth muscle antibodies, antinuclear antibody (ANA), thyroid antibody and anti-liver kidney microsomal antibodies.…”