Autoantibodies in Estonia and Sweden, populations with different responses to allergens.
BACKGROUND
There are substantial differences in immune-mediated disease prevalence between different countries and populations which cannot be explained by genetic variability.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of antinuclear (ANA), antimitochondrial, antireticulin, liver-kidney microsomal, parietal cell, thyroid microsomal and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies among adults aged 20-44 years in two towns, i.e. in Tartu, Estonia (n = 448) and in Uppsala, Sweden (n = 532) with a low and a high prevalence of allergy.


METHODS
For autoantibody detection, standard indirect immunofluorescence tests on tissue and Chritidia lucilia antigenic preparations were used (sera were diluted starting from 1:10).


RESULTS
The prevalence of ANA was lower in Tartu than in Uppsala (3 vs. 10% among males and 11 vs. 16% among females; p<0.01 and p<0.1, respectively). Furthermore, dsDNA antibody-positive cases were only identified in Uppsala. The largest difference between the two populations was revealed for IgM type ANA, both among males (1 vs. 6%; p<0.02) and females (5 vs. 11%; p<0.01). In addition, the antibody titers were lower in Tartu than in Uppsala (p<0.05). The prevalence of other autoantibodies was similar in the two towns.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings could support that Th2-like immune responses are commoner in Sweden than in Estonia, as previously suggested by the higher prevalence of allergy.
Uibo
R
R
Department of Immunology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
Talja
I
I
Jôgi
R
R
Janson
C
C
Björnsson
E
E
Boman
G
G
Mandel
M
M
Björkstén
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D004957:Estonia; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000276:immunology; D010295:Parietal Cells, Gastric / Q000276:immunology; D011153:Population; D015995:Prevalence; D012155:Reticulin / Q000276:immunology; D013548:Sweden; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D012155:Reticulin