DETECTION OF CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND BACTERIAL INFECTION
Background:Autoantibodies, commonly known as CCP antibodies or anti-CCP antibodies, are a kind of antibody. The immune system produces proteins called antibodies and autoantibodies. Your immune system can defend you against disease by battling external agents like viruses and bacteria. By mistakenly targeting the body's healthy cells, autoantibodies can lead to illness. Methods: Between the first of September 2022 and the first of November 2022, 50 venous blood samples (5 ml) from rheumatoid arthritis patients in Baghdad were obtained. With a history of autoimmune illnesses,the patients ranged in age from 19 to 79 and included both sexes—11 men and 39 women. Up to usage, serum samples were kept at -20°C. Private laboratories in Baghdad were contacted for blood samples. RF-LATEX - Linear Chemicals kit was used to identify rheumatoid factor - RF isotypes (IgG, IgM), while Snibe Company China's completely automated system was used to detect anti-CCP antibodies and ANA. Results: There were fifty individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Of them, 11 (22%) are male and 39 (78%) are female.Additionally, some of these patients have chronic tonsillitis, middle ear infections, and recurrent gingivitis. All of these patients also have high blood pressure despite their young age, and some of them have a family history of the disease in one of their parents, suggesting that genetic factors may have contributed to the infection. As a result, their RA is categorized as severe. The highest incidence of RA disease in females was in the age group (49 – 40) years with a percentage of 11(28.20%). In men, the highest incidence of the disease was in the two age groups (40-49) years and (60-69) years with a percentage of 3(27.27%) for the two age groups. 7 (14%) male patients had positive RF test results, 4 (8%) had positive ANA test within ranges ranging from 45.1 IU/ml to 101.8 IU/ml, and 7(11%) of the patients were positive for the anti-CCP antibody test. While it was found that 30 (69%) of the female patients had positive RF test results, 25 (50%) of the female patients had a positive ANA test within ranges of 45.1 to 101.8 IU/ml as in males, and 36 (72%) of the female were positive for an anti-CCP antibody test. Conclusion: Although not everyone with a positive anti-CCP Ab will have RA, this test is a little more specific than the RF for RA. Anti-CCP antibody levels that are greater are more suggestive of RA.
Keywords: Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-CCP Antibody, Bacterial Infectio