Antinuclear antibodies are not induced by PUVA treatment in patients with uncomplicated psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Previous investigations of antinuclear antibody (ANA) prevalence in patients undergoing PUVA therapy reported contrasting results. However, ANA tests were performed on low-sensitivity substrates that do not allow investigation of anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed ANAs on a highly sensitive substrate.


METHODS
ANAs were assayed on HEp-2 cells at regular intervals in 238 patients with psoriasis who were treated with PUVA therapy for 1 to 5 years and in 118 untreated control subjects with psoriasis. In addition, radioimmunoassay and counterimmunoelectrophoresis studies of anti-DNA and anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies were performed.


RESULTS
Low titers of ANA developed in three patients in at least two consecutive determinations and in 10 patients in a single determination despite continuing treatments. The positive conversion rate was not statistically significant. Radioimmunoassay counterimmunoelectrophoresis studies of anti-DNA and anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies were never positive.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience PUVA therapy does not represent a risk factor for the induction of anti-Ro antibodies and other ANAs.
Calzavara-Pinton
P
P
Department of Dermatology, Brescia University Hospital, Italy.
Franceschini
F
F
Rastrelli
M
M
Manera
C
C
Zane
C
C
Cattaneo
R
R
De Panfilis
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000276:immunology; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D004247:DNA; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D008730:Methoxsalen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human; C035356:SS-A antibodies