title: Antinuclear factor, smooth and striated muscle antibodies in Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Antinuclear factors and antibodies to smooth and striated muscle were studied by the indirect immune fluorescence method in the sera of 19 children suffering from progressive muscular dystrophy. In 47% of the patients antinuclear factor positivity, in 65% anti smooth muscle antibody positivity, and in 26% antistriated muscle antibody positivity was found. Antibody to striated muscle was present in patients with serious advanced dystrophy and in patients unable to walk, while anti-smooth muscle antibody occurred in less serious cases, too. On the basis of the results, it is concluded that in genetically determined progressive muscular dystrophy a secondary autoimmune process develops owing to the degeneration of muscles as the disease progresses.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology*; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies