Association between anti-α-1, 4-D-polygalacturonic acid antibodies and Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children. Issue 6 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miao, Meihua; Li, Xiaozhong; Wang, Qin; Zhu, Yunfen; Cui, Yanyan; Shao, Xuejun
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 47:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 2545
• Page End: 2554
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Children -- Henoch-Schönlein purpura -- α-1, 4-D-polygalacturonic acid antibody -- immunology; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060519843728
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between anti-α-1, 4-D-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin (Ig)A, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in children. Methods: This observational case–control study investigated PGA-IgA, PGA-IgG, and PGA/PGA-IgA circulating immune complex (PGA/PGA-IgA CIC) in paediatric patients with HSP versus controls. Children with HSP were also evaluated for food specific IgG and food intolerance. Between-group differences in anti-PGA antibodies were analysed. Results: Serum PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG levels were significantly increased in patients with acute HSP ( n = 251) versus those with urticaria ( n = 48), acute respiratory infections ( n = 95), surgical controls ( n = 53) and neonates ( n = 92). PGA/PGA-IgA CIC levels were also significantly higher in the acute HSP group versus surgical control and neonate groups. Levels of PGA/PGA-IgA CIC and PGA-IgA were significantly correlated ( r = 0.997), and PGA-IgA showed high diagnostic specificity for HSP. No statistically significant differences were observed in PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG between various degrees of food intolerance in children with HSP. Conclusion: Increased anti-PGA antibodies, particularly PGA-IgA and PGA/PGA-IgA CIC, were significantly associated with acute HSP in children. Food intolerance was not found to be associated with increased anti-PGA antibodies in children with HSP.