Hussein Ali, Azmi Mahafzah, David Hough, Peter Madison, Mohammad El-Khateeb.
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ABSTRACT
The detection of antibody to poly adenosine- diphosphate ribose (ADP-ribose) as a
diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was- investigated using a
radioimmunoassay.
High levels of anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibody were detected in the sera of 36 out of
62 (58%) SLE patients and· 14 out of 19 (74%) · patients with drug-induced SLE,
whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Patients with other connective. Tissue
.diseases and normal controls were both negative for anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibody.
The assay could detect antibodies of either IgM or IgG classes. Significantly elevated
levels of antibody to Poly (ADP-ribose) were demonstrated in various SLE types in
the presense or absense of antibodies to ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antigens. A
correlation between anti-poly (ADP-ribose) anitbody and anti-double stranded DNA
(anti-ds DNA) antibody was demonstrated. This correlation was most noticeable in
cases lacking .anti-RNP antibodies. An interesting finding, however, was the
demonstration of anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibody in cases of drug-induced SLE in
the absense of anti- ds DNA. Moreover, anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibody reflected
disease activity of SLE more accurately than anti-ds DNA. As compared to that of
anti-ds DNA, the anti-poly (ADP-ribose) assay has the advantage of utilizing an
antigen that is more stable and free from contaminating antigens, which serves to
increase diagnostic specificity and reduce day-to-day variation of the assay. the
detection of anti-poly (ADP-ribose) antibody is recommended in the diagnosis and
follow up of SLE patients.
* Department of Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman,
Jordan; Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan; Associate
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bath, UK; Professor, Royal
National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, UK; Professor, Faculty of Medicine.
The University of Jordan.
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