Striking inverse association of IgG-anti-Fab gamma antibodies and CD4 cell counts in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/AIDS-related complex

The contribution of autoimmune phenomena to the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between IgG-anti-Fab gamma autoantibodies and the main immunologic feature of AIDS, the decrease of CD4+ helper lymphocytes. Sera of 33 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected (HIV+) hemophilia patients with AIDS/AIDS-related complex (ARC), 57 HIV+ patients without AIDS/ARC, 23 HIV-negative (HIV-) patients, and 76 healthy controls were tested for antibody activity against the Fab region of IgG. Patients with AIDS/ARC had significantly higher IgG-anti- Fab gamma activity than HIV+ patients without AIDS/ARC, HIV- patients, or controls (P less than .0001). A striking inverse association was found between IgG-anti-Fab gamma and CD4+ cell counts (r = -.69; P less than 10(-6)). Sequential testing in 16 AIDS/ARC patients showed that an increase in the IgG-anti-Fab gamma activity was invariably accompanied by a decrease in the CD4+ cell count. IgG-anti-Fab gamma antibodies may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS.</jats:p

Striking inverse association of IgG-anti-Fab gamma antibodies and CD4 cell counts in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/AIDS-related complex

Abstract The contribution of autoimmune phenomena to the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between IgG-anti-Fab gamma autoantibodies and the main immunologic feature of AIDS, the decrease of CD4+ helper lymphocytes. Sera of 33 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected (HIV+) hemophilia patients with AIDS/AIDS-related complex (ARC), 57 HIV+ patients without AIDS/ARC, 23 HIV-negative (HIV-) patients, and 76 healthy controls were tested for antibody activity against the Fab region of IgG. Patients with AIDS/ARC had significantly higher IgG-anti- Fab gamma activity than HIV+ patients without AIDS/ARC, HIV- patients, or controls (P less than .0001). A striking inverse association was found between IgG-anti-Fab gamma and CD4+ cell counts (r = -.69; P less than 10(-6)). Sequential testing in 16 AIDS/ARC patients showed that an increase in the IgG-anti-Fab gamma activity was invariably accompanied by a decrease in the CD4+ cell count. IgG-anti-Fab gamma antibodies may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS.</jats:p

Demographic and clinical data in acquired hemophilia a: results from the european acquired haemophilia (each2) registry.

Background: Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII and characterized by spontaneous hemorrhage in patients with no previous family or personal history of bleeding. Although data on several AHA cohorts have been collected, limited information is available on the optimal management of AHA. Objectives: The European Acquired Hemophilia registry (EACH2) was established to generate a prospective, large-scale, pan-European database on demographics, diagnosis, underlying disorders, bleeding characteristics, treatment and outcome of AHA patients. Results: 501 (266 male, 235 female) patients from 117 centers and 13 European countries were included in the registry between 2003-2008. In 467 cases, hemostasis investigations and AHA diagnosis were triggered by a bleeding event. At diagnosis, patients were a median of 73.9 years. AHA was idiopathic in 51.9%; malignancy or autoimmune diseases were associated with 11.8% and 11.6% of cases. 57% of the non-pregnancy-related cases were male. 474 bleeding episodes were reported at presentation, and hemostatic therapy initiated in 70.5% of patients. Delayed diagnosis significantly impacted treatment initiation in 33.5%. 477 patients underwent immunosuppression, and 72.6% achieved complete remission. Conclusions: Representing the largest collection of consecutive AHA cases to date, EACH2 facilitates the analysis of a variety of open questions in AHA

Pregnancy-associated acquired haemophilia A: Results from the European Acquired Haemophilia (EACH2) registry

Objective The European Acquired Haemophilia registry (EACH2) collected data on the demographics, diagnosis, underlying disorders, bleeding characteristics, treatment, and outcome of women with acquired haemophilia A (AHA), a rare and often severe bleeding disorder caused by autoantibodies directed against coagulation factor VIII. Design Prospective, multi-centre, large-scale, pan-European registry. Setting A total of 117 haemophilia centres in 13 European countries. Population Pregnancy-associated AHA. Methods Data were reported using a web-based electronic case report form. Diagnosis was based on the presence of a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, reduced coagulation Factor VIII level and positive inhibitor assay. Main outcome measures Presenting characteristics, time to diagnosis, haemostatic treatment and outcome, immunosuppressive treatment and outcome. Results The EACH2 registry (n = 501) documented 42 (8.4%) cases of AHA associated with the peripartum period, a median Factor VIII level at diagnosis of 2.5 (range 0-25) IU/dl and inhibitor titre of 7.8 (range 0.7-348) BU/ml. Antepartum inhibitors were evident in eight women. Time to diagnosis of AHA after delivery was 89 (range 21-120) days. First-line haemostatic treatment was successful in 20/23 (87%) women treated. Bleeding episodes resolved in 17/18 (94%) women treated with a bypassing agent and 29/39 (74%) women achieved complete remission with first-line immunosuppressive treatment. Two babies experienced postnatal bleeding, suggesting transplacental transfer of the antibody. All women were alive at last follow-up. Conclusions Although rare, pregnancy-associated AHA may cause severe bleeding-related morbidity. Once diagnosed, women respond well to haemostatic treatment with bypassing agents and immunosuppression. Awareness of peripartum AHA requires improvement to facilitate rapid and appropriate management. \ua9 2012 The Authors BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology \ua9 2012 RCOG

REAL WORLD BLEEDING RATES OVER 7 YEARS OF ANTIHEMOPHILIC FACTOR (RECOMBINANT) IN PATIENTS WITH HEMOPHILIA A AND TARGET JOINTS: AHEAD INTERNATIONAL

International audienc

REAL WORLD BLEEDING RATES OVER 7 YEARS OF ANTIHEMOPHILIC FACTOR (RECOMBINANT) IN PATIENTS WITH HEMOPHILIA A AND TARGET JOINTS: AHEAD INTERNATIONAL

International audienc