AUTOANTIBODIES AGAINST LACTOFERRIN AND LYSOZYME IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS: IMPLICATIONS FROM A SEROLOGICAL STUDY

Background: Autoantibodies, including anti- neutrophil antibodies, have been detected in the serum of UC patients. Serological antibodies have a role in primary diagnosis of UC. Preoperative measurement of serological antibodies can help to predict the likelihood of complications among patients undergoing surgery. They also appear to be of value in predicting disease progression. Subjects, Materials and Methods: Current prospective study was conducted at Medical City in Baghdad from Dec. 2011 to the end of May 2012, where 26 known patients with UC aging from 18 to 77 years (diagnosed by histopathology slide sections) and 27 apparently healthy subjects have enrolled in this study as patient group and control group, respectively. Anti-lactoferrin and anti-lysozyme autoantibodies in both groups’ sera were assessed quantitatively by ELISA technique. Chi- square test and T- test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Data showed that the prevalence for anti- lactoferrin autoantibodies was (42.3%), while that for anti-lysozyme autoantibodies was (15.4%) in UC patients. All control group subjects showed seronegative results regarding both autoantibodies assayed. Quantitative assessment showed a significant correlation between UC patients and control group in regard to both autoantibodies. All cases of Proctocolitis- a type of UC, were associated with seronegative autoantibodies results. Conclusion: Anti-lactoferrin and anti-lysozyme autoantibodies tests can be used as a primary diagnostic tool in UC, and also to differentiate pancolitis and distal colitis types from proctocolitis type