Search

Background: In antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing, antidense fine speckled 70 (DFS70) antibodies are commonly detected as a specific indirect immunofluorescence assay pattern (IIFA in HEp-2-based substrates) or as bands/blot lines in immunoblotting. A negative association between anti-DFS70 antibodies and the presence of autoimmune diseases is often reported. However, some studies found that this may not be true in females. We conducted this study to see the positivity rate of anti DFS70 antibodies and their association with other autoantibodies in the predominantly hilly population of our state. Methods: Serum samples sent for ANA testing between February 2018 and December 2020 were included. ANA IIFA-positive cases underwent immunoblot profiling with 16 targets (including DFS70) blotting kit. Those with DFS70 band in the immunoblot) underwent tests for other autoantibodies such as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and anti-dsDNA. Association analysis was performed in a software package (SPSS version 23). Results: Out of 1770 samples, about 15.3% yielded a meaningful IIFA pattern. About 10.7% of ANA positives (1.6% of total samples) had the DFS70 band on immunoblotting. Isolated DFS70 was found in the predominantly male population (6 out of 7), while most females had this antibody in the presence of other autoantibodies (17 of 22). Conclusion: Male population had predominantly isolated anti DFS70 antibody detection (with the likely possibility of using it as a marker for the absence of autoimmune disease), while in females, mostly, it was along with other autoantibodies.

Background: Infectious Keratitis (Ik) Is A Potential Vision-Threatening Ocular Infection Caused By A Variety Of Microorganisms. Aim: To Explore Risk Factors And Etiological Agents Associated With Ik. Design: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study In Which Corneal Scrapings From 120 Suspected Cases Were Evaluated At A Tertiary Health Care Institute From January To December 2019. Methods: Scrapings Were Subjected To Direct Microscopy, Culture, And Identification By Both Conventional Methods And Maldi-Tof-Ms. The Patient's Demographic Data And Predisposing Factors, If Any Were Recorded. Results: The Mean Age Of Patients Was 48.9 Years And Predisposing Factors Were Documented In 46% (55/120) Of Cases. Overall, Infective Etiology Could Be Established In 51% (N = 61/120) Of Cases. Fungal Growth In 26% (N = 31/120) Of Cases And Bacterial Growth In 22% (N = 27/120) Of Cases Was Obtained. Growth Of More Than One Species Of Fungi Or Growth Of Bacteria Along With Fungus Were Observed In 2% (N = 3/120) Of Cases. Of All The Fungal Isolates Obtained (N = 34), The Most Common Isolate Was Fusarium (18/34) Followed By Aspergillus (8/34), Curvularia (4/34), Pseudallescheria Boydii (3/34), And Geotrichum (1/34). Among The Gram-Positive Bacterial Isolates (N = 16), Staphyloccus Species (15/16) Were Isolated In Maximum Number Followed By Streptococcus Pneumoniae (1/16). Among The Gram-Negative Isolates (N = 13), Pseudomonas Species (8/13) Were Isolated In Maximum Number Of Cases, Followed By Acinetobacter (3/13), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (1/13), And Escherichia Coli (1/13). Conclusion: For Initiating Appropriate Empirical Therapy, The Knowledge Of The Epidemiological Pattern Of Infectious Keratitis Of A Particular Geographical Region Is Crucial.