Autoantibodies and immunoglobulins in atomic bomb survivors with human T-lymphotropic virus type I.
The association of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) with autoimmune disorders was investigated on the basis of prevalence of antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor and anti-thyroglobulin antibody as well as immunoglobulin (Ig) serum level (IgG, IgA, and IgM). The subjects, all atomic bomb survivors, were 59 HTLV-I-seropositive people without HTLV-I-associated myelopathy or adult T-cell leukemia and 149 HTLV-I-seronegative persons. The mean serum level of IgM was higher in HTLV-I-seropositive subjects than in HTLV-I-seronegative subjects, and a significant association with HTLV-I and sex was indicated in the IgM serum level. No association with HTLV-I was indicated in the prevalence of the autoantibodies except for ANA. These results suggest some clear humoral immunity differences between HTLV-I-infected and noninfected subjects, but whether HTLV-I infection can lead to autoimmune disorders remains uncertain.
Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Nagasaki.
K
K
Ohishi
Y
Y
Shibata
T
T
Nakamura
M
M
Tsujihata
M
M
Akahoshi
T
T
Matsuo
M
M
Tomonaga
S
S
Nagataki
K
K
Shimaoka
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D013954:Thyroglobulin