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Diagnostic associations in a large and consecutively identified population positive for anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB: the range of associated diseases differs according to the detailed serotype

I Peene¹, L Meheus², E M Veys¹, F De Keyser¹

¹ Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
² Innogenetics, Ghent, Belgium

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr I Peene, Department of Rheumatology 0K12IB, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium;
filip.dekeyser{at}rug.ac.be

Objective: To determine the diagnostic distribution in a consecutive anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB positive population.

Methods: A total of 15 937 serum samples from 10 550 consecutive patients were analysed for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) on HEp-2 cells. Serum samples positive for ANAs were analysed by immunodiffusion and line immunoassay with recombinant SSA-Ro52, natural SSA-Ro60, and recombinant SSB.

Results: Among ANA positive patients in whom clinical information was available, 181 consecutive patients with anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB antibodies were identified, Disease associations were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (45.3%), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) (14.4%), scleroderma (8.8%), RA (7.7%), cutaneous lupus (7.7%), and dermatomyositis (2.2%). The ratio of diagnoses differed according to the anti-SSA/anti-SSB serotype. Scleroderma and dermatomyositis were enriched among mono-Ro52 reactive serum samples (34.2% and 10.5% respectively). Single reactivity towards Ro60 or anti-Ro60 with anti-Ro52 predisposed for SLE (80.0% and 52.2% respectively). Triple reactivity towards Ro52, Ro60, and SSB was primarily linked with SLE (55.8%) followed by pSS (20.9%). Anti-SSA on immunodiffusion increased the chance for SLE (62.8%), whereas isolated anti-SSB reactivity on immunodiffusion was less indicative for SLE (14.3%) and predisposed more for cutaneous lupus (23.8%) and pSS (33.3%).

Conclusion: The diagnostic range associated with anti-SSA or anti-SSB reactivity differs significantly according to the detailed serotype defined by line immunoassay and immunodiffusion.

Keywords: SSA/Ro52; SSA/Ro60; SSB; antinuclear antibodies

Abbreviations: ANA, antinuclear antibodies; BCIP, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphatase; CLE, cutaneous lupus erythematosus; DM, dermatomyositis; ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; pSS, primary Sjögren's syndrome; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; Ro52, 52 kD protein; Ro60, 60 kD protein; Scl, scleroderma; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; SS, Sjögren's syndrome

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