title: Erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation: a novel biomarker for the detection of low-grade internal inflammation in individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors and proven vascular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have introduced a concept of using the erythrocyte as a sensor for the detection of enhanced inflammation-sensitive protein concentrations. We presently evaluated the capability of this new biomarker to detect the presence of inflammation in individuals with a history of a vascular disease as opposed to individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors but no clinically evident vascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was determined in the peripheral venous blood by using a simple blood test. Blood was drawn into a syringe containing sodium citrate and trickled onto a slide at an angle of 30 degrees. The slides were than scanned by a blinded technician by using an image analyzer to determine the area that is covered by the erythrocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fifty-six subjects (61 women and 95 men) of 2586 (1238 women and 1348 men) met the criteria of a definite vascular disease (history of stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or peripheral vascular disease). The degree of erythrocyte aggregation was significantly (P = .008) higher in men, but not in women, with vascular disease as opposed to these without a vascular disease. The results of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed the diagnostic superiority of the erythrocyte aggregation biomarker over other commonly used markers of the acute phase in men. Similar results were obtained by using discriminant analysis. Finally, a significant correlation was found between the degree of erythrocyte aggregation and other markers of the acute phase suggesting its relevance for the detection and quantitation of low-grade inflammation in individuals with atherothrombosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation may be a useful biomarker to detect internal inflammation in individuals with atherothrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. shapiraiz@tasmc.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berliner
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rogowski
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aharonov
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mardi
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tolshinsky
authors.forename: Meirav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rozenblat
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Justo
authors.forename: Varda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deutsch
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serov
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zeltzer
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers