The serum level of Ig G, Ig M, Ig A, Ig D and C3 were determined by a Hyland Immunodiffusion plate in 60 patients and 29 normal healthy controls. Immunoglobulin G level was increased only in patient's with herniated nucleus pulposus. We also could demonstrate high levels of Ig G in group I, the ruptured nucleus cases, but there were no differences in the levels of other immunoglobulins and C3 in other groups. In the Ochterlony gel diffusion test for the detection of humoral antibody for the nucleus pulposus, only 4 cases gave precipitation lines using antigen excised from nucleus pulposus. In 2 cases high levels of Ig G were observed. All 89 patients gave negative precipitation lines using proteoglycan as antigen.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases/complications* ; Back Pain/etiology ; Back Pain/immunology* ; Child ; Female ; Human ; Immunoglobulins/analysis ; Intervertebral Disk* ; Male ; Middle Age ; Spinal Diseases/immunology*

Recent therapeutic advances, in particular the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, have revived interest in the seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA), a group of arthritides characterised by axial skeletal involvement and the absence of rheumatoid factor. The purpose of this article is to review the studies that have been done in the Asia Pacific region, as a broad understanding of the scope and severity of this group of diseases would enable rheumatologists and physicians in this part of the world to better manage their patients. The majority of genetic studies have focused on the associations of HLA-B27 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and SpA, while a few studies examined the associations of the CARD, IL-1, LMP2, TAP and TGF with AS. There are a handful of studies on the immunological responses to bacteria and cytokine levels in AS. The onset and clinical features of SpA have been reported from most countries in the region, but no data on patient outcomes, using current measurement tools such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity index (BASDAI), is available. Validation of these instruments of measurement as well as classification criteria in different ethnic populations is necessary where no prior data exist. Future studies will likely be focused on better clinical characterisation of patient cohorts, particularly with regard to the use of currently used measurement tools for disease activity and spinal function and mobility, and the identification of the need for biologic therapy in each country.
Arthritis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; immunology ; therapy ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; genetics ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Diseases ; epidemiology ; genetics ; immunology ; therapy ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; genetics ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; immunology