Serum IgA Antibodies Specific to M. leprae Antigens as Biomarkers for Leprosy Detection and Household Contact Tracking

Leprosy remains endemic in several developing countries, such as India and Brazil, in part due to delayed diagnosis that facilitates ongoing transmission. Although immunoglobulins against several Mycobacterium leprae antigens have been indicated for the early diagnosis, and IgA participates in the early stages of leprosy and in subclinical infection, relatively little research has examined anti-M. leprae IgA responses. Here, we investigated serum IgA reactivity against NDO-HSA, LID-1 and NDO-LID, in paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) patients and their household contacts, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Diagnostic accuracy of each ELISA was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Our data reveal elevated IgA serum levels against the three M. leprae specific antigens in MB patients, whereas IgA reactivity in PB patients was increased only to NDO-HSA. Further, MB and PB household contacts displayed higher IgA reactivity to NDO-HSA than non-endemic controls. Our data suggest measurement of serum IgA against NDO-HSA as an additional tool in the diagnosis and classification of the disease, with potential utility for household contact follow-up.

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The long pentraxin PTX3: a novel serum marker to improve the prediction of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis bone-related phenotypes

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research ◽

10.1186/s13018-021-02440-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Virginia Veronica Visconti ◽

Chiara Greggi ◽

Simona Fittipaldi ◽

Donato Casamassima ◽

Maria Grazia Tallarico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Metabolism ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Serum Marker ◽

Serum Analysis ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Spearman Correlation ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Potential Use

Abstract Background The long pentraxin PTX3 is generating great interest given the recent discovery of its involvement in bone metabolism. This study investigates the role of circulating PTX3 as a marker of bone-related phenotypes in patients with osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Serum PTX3 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a total of OP (n=32), OA (n=19) patients and healthy controls (CTR; n=25). ROC curve analysis was carried out to evaluate the potential of PTX3 for the diagnosis of bone-related phenotypes. In addition, the association between PTX3 serum levels and biochemical markers was estimated by Spearman correlation analysis. Results Serum analysis reveals a statistically significant increase of PTX3 levels in OP and OA patients, compared to CTR subjects (**** p < 0.0001, **** p < 0.0001). ROC curve of PTX3 levels exhibits an excellent sensitivity and specificity for OP and OA diseases (**** p < 0.0001 and **** p < 0.0001, respectively). Moreover, serum PTX3 levels are positively associated with ALP (r = − 0.5257, p = 0.0083) and PTH levels (r = 0.4704, p = 0.0203) in OP patients. Conclusions These results confirm the pivotal role of PTX3 in bone metabolism and suggest its potential use as a predictor of OP and OA bone-related phenotypes.

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Galectin-1, The New Player in Staging and Prognosis of COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-830345/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sofija Sekulic ◽

Nevena Gajovic ◽

Milena Jurisevic ◽

Marina Jovanovic ◽

Biljana Popovska Jovicic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Radiographic Finding ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Atypical Pneumonia ◽

Tissue Destruction ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background A new virus from the group of coronaviruses was identified as the cause of atypical pneumonia and called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and disease called Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). During the cytokine storm, the main cause of the death, proinflammatory cytokines are released which stimulate further tissue destruction. Galectin-1 is pleiotropic cytokine involved in many immune and inflammatory processes and its role in COVID-19 is still unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to determine systemic values of galectin-1 and correlations between gal-1 and proinflammatory cytokines and clinical parameters during COVID-19 progression. Design Observational and cross-sectional study. Patients 210 COVID-19 patients were included and divided into mild, severe or critical group according to COVID-19 severity. Main Measures Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, IL-33 and galectin-1 were measured using sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Key Results Systemic levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, IL-33 and galectin-1 were significantly higher in stage III of COVID-19 patients compared to stage I and II. There were no significant differences in ratio between Galectin-1 and IL-10 with proinflammatory cytokines. Positive correlation was detected between Gal-1 and IL-1β, IL6, IL-10, IL-23 and IL-33. Gal-1 positively correlated with chest radiographic finding, dry cough and headache and negatively correlated with normal breathing sound. Conclusions Linear regression model and ROC curve analysis point on Gal-1 as significant predictors for COVID-19 severity. Presented results implicate on Gal-1 and IL-10 dependent immunomodulation. The precise mechanism of Gal-1 effect in COVID-19 and its potential as a stage marker of disease severity is still to be clarified.

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Elevated Myeloperoxidase-DNA Complex Levels in Sera of Patients with IgA Vasculitis

Pathobiology ◽

10.1159/000519869 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Sora Takeuchi ◽

Tamihiro Kawakami ◽

Tatsuro Okano ◽

Haruki Shida ◽

Daigo Nakazawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Disease ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Iga Vasculitis ◽

Extracellular Traps ◽

Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽

Serum Iga ◽

Dna Complex

Introduction: IgA vasculitis is a systemic disease that results from the entrapment of circulating IgA-containing immune complexes in small-vessel walls in the skin, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. An excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is involved in the pathogenesis of vasculitis, especially in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. This study aimed to clarify whether NETs are implicated in IgA vasculitis. Methods: Twenty-two patients with IgA vasculitis and 4 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complex, a fragment derived from NETs, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the association between MPO-DNA complex levels and clinical parameters was examined. The presence of the ANCA was also assessed by ELISA specific for MPO and proteinase 3 (PR3) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), followed by assessing the differences in clinical parameters with and without the ANCA. Results: Serum MPO-DNA complex levels were significantly higher in patients with IgA vasculitis than those in healthy controls. A significant positive correlation between the serum MPO-DNA complex and IgA levels was noted. Interestingly, 63.6% of IgA vasculitis patients were ANCA-positive in IIF with an atypical pattern, whereas neither MPO-ANCA nor PR3-ANCA was detected by ELISA. These findings indicated that some IgA vasculitis patients possessed the so called minor ANCA. Serum IgA and MPO-DNA complex levels and the frequency of hematuria in the minor ANCA-positive group were significantly higher than in the minor ANCA-negative group. Conclusion: The collective findings suggested that NETs are certainly involved in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis.

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The Relationship of Serum Hemojuvelin and Hepcidin Levels with Iron Overload in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases ◽

10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.243.hak ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 293-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Salih Boga ◽

Huseyin Alkim ◽

Canan Alkim ◽

Ali Riza Koksal ◽

Mehmet Bayram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Iron Overload ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Fibrosis Stage ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Background & Aims: Mild iron overload is frequently reported in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepcidin is the master iron-regulatory peptide and hemojuvelin (HJV) is the key regulator of iron-dependent secretion of hepcidin. The aims of this study were to evaluate serum HJV and hepcidin levels in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD with and without hepatic iron overload, and to identify potential associations of HJV and hepcidin with the clinical characteristics of the patients enrolled. Methods: Serum levels of HJV and hepcidin were measured in 66 NAFLD patients with (n=12) and without (n=54) iron overload, and controls (n=35) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hemojuvelin and hepcidin levels were assessed in relation to clinical characteristics and liver histologic evaluation of the participants. Results: Significantly lower serum HJV (281.1 [239.2-353.6] vs. 584.8 [440.3-661] ng/ml, p<0.001) and similar serum hepcidin levels (60.5±31.1 vs. 55.8±11.9 ng/ml, p=0.285) were found in NAFLD patients when compared to controls. İron-overloaded NAFLD patients had significantly lower HJV (249.9 [187.6-296.3] vs. 292.9 [243-435] ng/ml, p=0.032) and significantly higher hepcidin (78.4±35.5 vs. 56.5±28.9ng/ml, p=0.027) levels than NAFLD patients without iron overload. Fibrosis stage was significantly higher in iron overloaded NAFLD group (p<0.001). Ferritin levels correlated significantly both with HOMA-IR (r=0.368, p=0.002) and fibrosis stage (r=0.571, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HJV levels are low in NAFLD and even lower in iron overloaded NAFLD, while hepcidin levels are higher in NAFLD with iron overload. The gradually decreased HJV and increased hepcidin concentrations in our patients most likely reflect the physiological response to iron accumulation in the liver.

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Low Serum Levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 in Gunn Rats: A Hyperbilirubinemia Animal Model of Schizophrenic Symptoms

CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871527319999200729153907 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (7) ◽

pp. 503-508

Author(s):

Maiko Hayashida ◽

Sadayuki Hashioka ◽

Kenji Hayashida ◽

Shoko Miura ◽

Keiko Tsuchie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Normal Strain ◽

Fibroblast Growth ◽

Gunn Rats

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 (also referred to as basic FGF) is a multifunctional growth factor that plays a pivotal role in the pro-survival, pro-migration and pro-differentiation of neurons. Method: Because alterations in FGF2 levels are suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis schizophrenia, we investigated serum levels of FGF2 in the Gunn rat, a hyperbilirubinemia animal model of schizophrenic symptoms. Results: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the serum levels of FGF2 in Gunn rats were 5.09 ± 0.236 pg/mL, while those in the normal strain Wistar rats were 11.90 ± 2.142 pg/mL. The serum FGF2 levels in Gunn rats were significantly lower than those in Wistar rats. We also measured serum levels of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and found a significant negative correlation between UCB and FGF2 at serum levels in all the rats studied. Conclusion: Since it is known that FGF2 regulates dopaminergic neurons and have anti-neuroinflammatory effects, our finding suggests that low FGF2 levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, in which disbalanced dopamin-ergic signaling and neuroinflammation are supposed to play certain roles.

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Quantitative Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to Measure Serum Levels of Total Murine Immunoglobulin

BIO-PROTOCOL ◽

10.21769/bioprotoc.33 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Zheng Liu

Keyword(s):

Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay

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Comparison of pregnenolone sulfate, pregnanolone and estradiol levels between patients with menstrually-related migraine and controls: an exploratory study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01231-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cecilia Rustichelli ◽

Elisa Bellei ◽

Stefania Bergamini ◽

Emanuela Monari ◽

Flavia Lo Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exploratory Study ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Allosteric Modulator ◽

Positive Allosteric Modulator ◽

Pregnenolone Sulfate ◽

Menstrually Related Migraine ◽

History Of ◽

Estradiol Levels

Abstract Background Neurosteroids affect the balance between neuroexcitation and neuroinhibition but have been little studied in migraine. We compared the serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate, pregnanolone and estradiol in women with menstrually-related migraine and controls and analysed if a correlation existed between the levels of the three hormones and history of migraine and age. Methods Thirty women (mean age ± SD: 33.5 ± 7.1) with menstrually-related migraine (MM group) and 30 aged- matched controls (mean age ± SD: 30.9 ± 7.9) participated in the exploratory study. Pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone serum levels were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, while estradiol levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone were significantly lower in the MM group than in controls (pregnenolone sulfate: P = 0.0328; pregnanolone: P = 0.0271, Student’s t-test), while estradiol levels were similar. In MM group, pregnenolone sulfate serum levels were negatively correlated with history of migraine (R2 = 0.1369; P = 0.0482) and age (R2 = 0.2826, P = 0.0025) while pregnenolone sulfate levels were not age-related in the control group (R2 = 0.04436, P = 0.4337, linear regression analysis). Conclusion Low levels of both pregnanolone, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and pregnenolone sulfate, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, involved in memory and learning, could contribute either to headache pain or the cognitive dysfunctions reported in migraine patients. Overall, our results agree with the hypothesis that migraine is a disorder associated with a loss of neurohormonal integrity, thus supporting the therapeutic potential of restoring low neurosteroid levels in migraine treatment.

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Serum surfactant protein D in COVID-19 is elevated and correlated with disease severity

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06447-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ming Tong ◽

Ying Xiong ◽

Chen Zhu ◽

Hong Xu ◽

Qing Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Phase ◽

Early Stage ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Surfactant Protein ◽

Mean Value ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Surfactant Protein D ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Roc Curve Analysis

Abstract Background The serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) level is suggested to be a useful biomarker for acute lung injuries and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Whether the serum SP-D level could identify the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the early stage has not been elucidated. Methods We performed an observational study on 39 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients from The Fourth People’s Hospital of Yiyang, Hunan, China. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic regression model analysis were performed. Results In the acute phase, the serum levels of SP-D were elevated significantly in severe COVID-19 patients than in mild cases (mean value ± standard deviation (SD), 449.7 ± 125.8 vs 245.9 ± 90.0 ng/mL, P<0.001), while the serum levels of SP-D in the recovery period were decreased dramatically than that in the acute phase (mean value ± SD, 129.5 ± 51.7 vs 292.9 ± 130.7 ng/ml, P<0.001), and so were for the stratified patients. The chest CT imaging scores were considerably higher in the severe group compared with those in the mild group (median value, 10.0 vs 9.0, P = 0.011), while markedly lower in the recovery period than those in the acute phase (median value, 2.0 vs 9.0, P<0.001), and so were for the stratified patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that areas under the curve of lymphocyte counts (LYM), C-reaction protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and SP-D for severe COVID-19 were 0.719, 0.833, 0.817, 0.837, and 0.922, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the SP-D levels were negatively correlated with LYM (r = − 0.320, P = 0.047), while positively correlated with CRP (r = 0.658, P<0.001), IL-6 (r = 0.471, P = 0.002), the duration of nucleic acid of throat swab turning negative (r = 0.668, P<0.001), chest CT imaging score on admission (r = 0.695, P<0.001) and length of stay (r = 0.420, P = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that age (P = 0.041, OR = 1.093) and SP-D (P = 0.008, OR = 1.018) were risk factors for severe COVID-19. Conclusions Elevated serum SP-D level was a potential biomarker for the severity of COVID-19; this may be useful in identifying patients whose condition worsens at an early stage.

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Serum IGFBP-2 in systemic sclerosis as a prognostic factor of lung dysfunction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90333-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julien Guiot ◽

Makon-Sébastien Njock ◽

Béatrice André ◽

Fanny Gester ◽

Monique Henket ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Prognostic Factor ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Lung Disease ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Significant Deterioration ◽

Lung Dysfunction

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapid evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific biomarkers associated with the progression of this lung disease are highly needed. We aimed to identify specific biomarkers of SSc-ILD to predict the evolution of the disease. For this, we compared prospectively serum levels of several biomarkers associated with lung fibrosis in SSc patients (n = 102), among which SSc-no ILD (n = 63) and SSc-ILD (n = 39), compared to healthy subjects (HS) (n = 39). We also performed a longitudinal study in a subgroup of 28 patients analyzing biomarkers variations and pulmonary function tests over a period of 2 years. Serum level of IGFBP-2 was significantly increased in SSc patients compared to HS, and negatively correlated with pulmonary function (assessed by carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO)) (r = − 0.29, p < 0.01). Two-year longitudinal analysis in a subgroup of 28 SSc patients determined that IGFBP-2 variation was positively correlated with KCO at 2-year follow-up (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). SSc patients with a lower variation of IGFBP-2 (less than 22%) presented significant deterioration of pulmonary function at 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01). ROC curve analysis enabled us to identify that baseline IGFBP-2 > 105 ng/ml was associated with a poor outcome (KCO < 70% predicted) at 2-year follow-up (AUC = 0.75, p < 0.05). We showed for the first time that serum levels of IGFBP-2 might be a prognostic factor of the development of SSc-ILD.

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Evaluation of Serum Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and Circulating Immune Complexes in Oral Precancer and Cancer Patients

Global Medical Genetics ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1725157 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pooja Madki ◽

Mandya Lakshman Avinash Tejasvi ◽

Geetha Paramkusam ◽

Ruheena Khan ◽

Shilpa J.

Keyword(s):

Oral Cancer ◽

Immune Complexes ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Circulating Immune Complexes ◽

Oral Cancers ◽

Cancer Group ◽

Oral Precancer ◽

Serum Iga ◽

The Mean

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) as tumor marker in oral cancer and precancer patients. Materials and Methods The present study was performed on 45 individuals subdivided into three groups, that is, oral precancer, oral cancer and healthy individuals, and levels of immunoglobulins, and CIC was estimated by turbidometry and ELISA method. Results In the present study, the mean serum IgA levels in oral precancer were 161.00 ( ± 118.02) mg/dL, oral cancers were 270.67 ( ± 171.44) mg/dL, and controls were 133.73 ( ± 101.31) mg/dL. Mean serum levels of IgG in oral precancer were 1,430.87 ( ± 316) mg/dL, oral cancers were 1,234.27 ( ± 365.42) mg/dL, and controls were 593.87 ( ± 323.06) mg/dL. Conclusion We found that the levels of serum IgG and IgA were elevated consistently in precancer and cancer group, and Serum IgM levels were increased only in precancer. Also, significant increase in serum CIC levels were seen in oral precancer and cancer group on comparison with control.

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