Inflammatory bowel disease-specific autoantibodies in HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathies: increased prevalence of ASCA and pANCA.
OBJECTIVE
An association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and spondyloarthropathies (SpA) has repeatedly been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serologic markers of IBD, e.g. antibodies against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA), antibodies against exocrine pancreas (PAB) and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) are present in HLA-B27-associated SpA.


METHODS
87 patients with HLA-B27-positive SpA and 145 controls were tested for ASCA, PAB and pANCA employing ELISA or indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. Antibody-positive patients were interviewed regarding IBD-related symptoms using a standardized questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared to the controls, ASCA IgA but not ASCA IgG levels were significantly increased in patients with SpA, in particular in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated SpA (uSpA). pANCA were found in increased frequency in patients with SpA whereas PAB were not detected. The existence of autoantibodies was not associated with gastrointestinal symptoms but sustains the presence of a pathophysiological link between bowel inflammation and SpA.
Medizinische Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.
H-P
HP
Török
J
J
Glas
R
R
Gruber
V
V
Brumberger
C
C
Strasser
H
H
Kellner
E
E
Märker-Hermann
C
C
Folwaczny
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000032:analysis*; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000276:immunology*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G