title: A common anti-DNA idiotype in sera of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: The sera of 57 patients with active, untreated pulmonary tuberculosis were examined for the presence of a common anti-DNA idiotype, 16/6. Thirty-four of the 57 sera (60%) had an increased level of the idiotype, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific rabbit anti-16/6 serum. Of 28 matched control sera, only 1 (4%) was found to be positive for the idiotype. The sera of patients with tuberculosis also showed increased activity against a variety of antigens with which lupus autoantibodies are known to crossreact (e.g., single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, polynucleotides, and cardiolipin). A correlation was observed between serum IgG and IgM levels and the 16/6 idiotype levels.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000032:analysis*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D004247:DNA