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Clinical significance of antinucleosome antibodies in Tunisian systemic lupus erythematosus patients

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of antinucleosome antibodies in Tunisian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. IgG antinucleosome antibodies were detected by a qualitative enzyme immunoassay (immunodot) in the sera of SLE patients at onset of disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the antinucleosome antibodies test: positive (group A) and negative (group B). The two groups were also evaluated for clinical and biological parameters. Of 84 patients with SLE, 66 (78.6%) had antinucleosome antibodies. Among 21 patients negative for anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), 5 (23.8%) were antinucleosome positive. The most common initial features were haematological disorders (80.1%) and arthritis or arthralgias (79.8%). Renal disorders, observed in 59.5% of SLE patients, were more common in group A compared to group B (65 vs 38%) (p=0.04). The European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM) mean score was higher in group A (6.42) than in group B (4.44) (p=0.002). Antinucleosome antibodies were positive in nearly one-fourth of SLE patients negative for anti-dsDNA. We found a correlation between antinucleosome antibodies, nephritis and SLE disease activity. Therefore, the determination of circulating antinucleosome antibodies could be a useful parameter for early diagnosis and follow-up of SLE patients.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Mrs. Ben Hamed Nadia for her assistance in revising the manuscript and Mrs. El Abed Souad and Boukthir Samia for their excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Laboratory, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital of Sfax, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia

    S. Haddouk, M. Ben Ayed & H. Masmoudi

  2. Department of Rheumatology, Hédi Chaker University Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    S. Baklouti

  3. Department of Nephrology, Hédi Chaker University Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    J. Hachicha

  4. Department of Medicine, Hédi Chaker University Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Z. Bahloul

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  1. S. Haddouk
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  2. M. Ben Ayed
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  3. S. Baklouti
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  4. J. Hachicha
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  5. Z. Bahloul
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  6. H. Masmoudi
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Correspondence to H. Masmoudi.

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Haddouk, S., Ben Ayed, M., Baklouti, S. et al. Clinical significance of antinucleosome antibodies in Tunisian systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Clin Rheumatol 24, 219–222 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-004-1005-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-004-1005-5

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