Faheem Shahzad

The High Percentages of Anti-Thyroid Antibodies Positive SLE Patients at Sheikh Zayed Hospital , Lahore ( Pakistan )

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease and more than 100 auto antibodies have been detected in SLE. The present study was designed to determine the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA) in SLE patients. METHODS: It was a descriptive study and 42-SLE patients positive for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and or anti-ds DNA (ds-DNA) antibodies were selected from Department of Rheumatology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Blood sample was collected and ATA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (39) (92.9%) and 32 (76.2%) patients had ANA and ds-DNA antibodies respectively. On comparison, it was not statistically significant. Twenty- three (23) (54.76%) subjects had ATA and on comparison, it was not statistically significant. All the positive patients for ATA were females. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of ANA and ds-DNA positive suspected SLE subjects to have ATA in their serum was 74%. About 55% of SLE patients were positive for ATA.

Immune System Activation In Rheumatic Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE To assess activation of immune system in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients in the form of AECA, ACL and anti GBM antibodies. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive, observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, and Outpatient Department, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, from February 2015 to January 2016. METHODOLOGY Clinically suspected patients of RHD and confirmed by echocardiography were included. AECA, ACL and anti GBM antibodies were investigated in the sera of RHD patients. RESULTS Eighty-six RHD patients were included in the study; the mean age of the patients was 30 ±9.3 years. Among these patients, 59 (68.6%) were females and 27 (31.4%) were males. AECA was most commonly detected autoantibody i.e. in 17 (19.8%) patients; whereas, ACL was detected in only 2 (2.3%) subjects. Another 2 (2.3%) patients had both AECA and ACL antibodies. AGBM was not detected in any of the patients. ACL was seen in females with isolated MR. AECA were seen in mixed valvular heart disease patients. CONCLUSION Immune system gets activated in RHD patients leading to formation of different antibodies, and they are also related to the type of lesion. ACL antibodies are present in females with isolated mitral regurgitation, while AECA are present in both the genders with mixed valvular heart disease. Anti GBM antibodies are not seen in RHD patients.

Salivary Levels of IL-6 and IL-17 Could Be an Indicator of Disease Severity in Patients with Calculus Associated Chronic Periodontitis

Background/Purpose. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of gums that causes loss of supporting structures of teeth, that is, gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Levels of various cytokines in the serum, gingival tissues, and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis have been studied, but limited data are available on the level of cytokines in saliva. Therefore, a study was designed to determine levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 in patients with calculus associated chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods. It was a comparative, cross-sectional study that is comprised of 41 healthy controls and 41 calculus associated chronic periodontitis patients (CP patients). According to the degree of attachment loss, CP patients were subcategorized as mild (CAL 1-2 mm), moderate (CAL 3-4 mm), and severe (CAL > 5 mm) forms of periodontitis. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results. Between healthy controls and CP patients (moderate and severe disease), a statistically significant difference was observed in the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17. In CP patients, the highest mean ± SD of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 was observed in severe CP, followed by moderate and mild CP. Regarding level of IL-6, a statistically significant difference was observed between mild and severe disease and between moderate and severe subcategories of CP patients. Similarly, statistically significant difference was observed in the level of IL-17 between mild and moderate, mild and severe disease, and moderate and severe disease. Conclusion. The levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 were increased significantly in calculus associated CP patients as compared to healthy controls and these levels increased with the progression of CP. Clinical Significance. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 may help in the subcategorization of CP.

Correlation of Serum IL-17 with Level of Vitamin D and IgE in Asthmatic Patients

Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways caused by hypersensitivity and characterized by Th2 cytokine i.e. IL-4, that contribute to enhanced proliferation and differentiation of Th2 cells and switch of B cells from IgM to IgE production. Vitamin D also has a role in proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis of cells of the immune system, production of cytokines, and immunoglobulins. Elevated levels of IL-17 have been documented in bronchial submucosa and relationship of IL-17 and severe hyper responsiveness of airways have been established. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine serum level of vitamin D, IgE and IL-17 in patients of bronchial asthma. Methodology: It was a comparative study, which included 82 subjects i.e. Group-I (41 subjects without asthma), and group-II (41 asthmatic patients). Serum levels of IL-17, IgE and vitamin D