Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease for long-term that primarily affects small joints and leads to chronic inflammation in synovial. The aimed of the study to identify the relationships among some serological markers (antibodies to citrullinated protein/peptide antigens (ACPAs), anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), anti-carbamylated protein (Anti-Carp), anti- heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (anti-hnRNP) and Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI)) and early diagnosis of RA. The study involved (60) Patients of newly diagnosis with RA that divided in to two subgroups (30 RF positive and 30 RF negative) groups and 30 subjects as healthy control group. The serological data from serum concentration of (ACPAs, Anti-MCV, Anti-Carp, Anti-hnRNP, G6PI) estimated by ELISA methods, RF estimated by latex agglutination kits. The results revealed that ACPAs, Anti-MCV, Anti-Carp, Anti-hnRNP, G6PI having a statistical significants at the mean±SD titer different between the two RF groups, a higher value among the refractory RA patients in comparison with the control group. Also effectively distinguishing RA patients groups for RF+ve and RF-ve with showed the sensitivity and specificity of, ACPAs (90.8% , 94.1%, and  88.2%, 86.6%); anti-MCV (66.7% , 33.0% and 70.0%, 70.2%); anti-CarP (76.7% , 90.0% and 93.3%, 78.5%); anti-hnRNP (74.9% , 61.9% and 71.4%, 70.9%) and GPI (77.3% , 76.7% and 84.4%, 80.1%) respectively. This study confirm the importance of measuring multiple serum biomarkers and their com­binations with high diagnostic value for RA and provide sup­port for the early diagnosis of RA.

No abstract

Background: Innate immunity plays an important role in deciding the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and disease outcomes. Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that are produced by epithelial cells in mucosal locations and play a key role in innate immunity. Understanding COVID-19 mucosal agents and their role in disease severity is critical for developing therapeutic options and identification of prognostic markers for COVID-19. Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the role of β-defensin-1 in patients with COVID-19 and compare it with that of the control group, as well as to look into the link between β-defensin-1 and oral hygiene and disease severity. Methods: This case-control study included 50 patients with COVID-19 and 35 controls of similar ages and sexes. From November 2020 to January 2021, the patients were admitted to Baghdad Teaching Hospital/Medical City. The simplified oral hygiene index was used to determine oral hygiene status. Blood samples were obtained from all subjects (patients and controls), and the serum levels of β-defensin-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Findings showed a non-significant reduction (P>0.05) in the β-defensin-1 level among patients compared with that of the controls. In addition, patients with severe disease had a significantly lower level of β-defensin-1 than those with mild disease. There were no significant variations in the levels of β-defensin-1 between patients with good oral hygiene and those with poor oral hygiene (P>0.05). Conclusions: The reduction in β-defensin-1 levels indicates an abnormal immune response in these patients and may require a new treatment option for this condition in the future. Furthermore, in patients with severe disease, a considerable drop in β-defensin-1 might be used as an indicator of illness severity.

Introduction and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune disease is the most frequent kind of inflammatory arthritis and a leading cause of disability in the United States. The study's goal was to determine whether or not individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis were positive for Toxoplasma antibodies while receiving biological therapy.   Materials and Methods: By ELISA method Toxoplasma antibodies were investigates in serum of 100 RA patients under treatment with TNF-? antagonist from 4-6 months, and in serum from 100 healthy controls.   Results: A statistically significant difference was found between patients and controls in the proportion of Toxoplasma antibodies (IgM 6, IgG 16 positive individuals). There was no correlation identified between Toxoplasma antibody seropositivity and responsiveness to biological treatments or disease activity.   Conclusion: Toxoplasma antibody seropositivity may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis among Iraqi patients under biological drugs.

No abstract