title: Brief report: a novel application of buccal micronucleus cytome assay in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease, and both genetic and environmental factors are implicated in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess cellular and nuclear morphology of SLE using a buccal micronucleus cytome assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 58 SLE patients and 58 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Patients' baseline characteristics were recorded, and a buccal micronucleus cytome assay was used to measure cellular and nuclear abnormalities in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly higher frequencies of micronuclei, nuclear buds, binucleated cells, basal cells, condensed chromatin cells, karyorrhectic cells, pyknotic cells, and karyolytic cells were seen in SLE patients as compared to controls. A buccal micronucleus cytome assay score of ≥4 had the highest accuracy (93.1%), almost perfect positive predictive value (98.1% at 50% pretest probability and 99.8% at 90% pretest probability), 87.9% sensitivity, and 98.3% specificity for the diagnosis of SLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biomarkers of DNA damage, proliferative potential, and cell death were significantly increased in SLE patients. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay was a valid and easy way for clinicians to assess individuals at high risk of developing SLE.
authors: Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors: Ziad S
authors: ZS
authors: Al-Rawi
authors: Faiq I
authors: FI
authors: Gorial
authors: Rana Fawzi
authors: RF
authors: Tawfiq
authors: Ahmed Khaled
authors: AK
authors: Mohammed
authors: Ahmed S
authors: AS
authors: Al-Naaimi
authors: Mohammed A
authors: MA
authors: Al'aadhmi
authors: Ali A
authors: AA
authors: Hayyawi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult