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Certain biomarkers may differentiate chikungunya from RA
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SAN FRANCISCO — The presence of cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and 14-3-3eta in sera may help to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from infection with the chikungunya virus, according to recently presented research.
Researchers from Quest Diagnostics in San Juan Capistrano and Alameda, Calif., analyzed 234 chikungunya immunoglobulin M (IgM) serological samples and tested for 14-3-3eta using a proprietary, laboratory-developed, sandwich ELISA. The samples were also tested for rheumatoid factor (RF) isotopes and cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies.
Chikungunya IgG was detected in 223 of the 234 chikungunya IgM-positive sera, while RF IgM was positive in 51 of the IgM-positive samples and RF IgG was positive in seven of the samples. RF IgA was identified in 10 samples, and CCP was positive in four samples. In seven patients, two isotopes of RF were detected with CCP-positive in one of the seven samples. A CCP-negative patient had all three RF isotopes, and at least one isotope of RF was present in 25.2% of patients. Twenty-five of the samples were positive for 14-3-3, of which six were positive for RF.
The researchers concluded RF may not help to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from chikungunya infection, but the presence of CCP and 14-3-3 may serve as biomarkers to distinguish RA from chikungunya arthritis. - by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Zhukov OS, et al. Paper #2032. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 7-11, 2015; San Francisco.
Disclosures: The researchers report the receipt of funding from Quest Diagnostics.