Rheumatoid factor and rheumatoid factor isotypes in loiasis with and without accompanying glomerulonephritis

• Published in: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 86; no. 6; pp. 667 - 669
• Main Authors: Adebajo, A.O., Akinsola, A., Maizels, R.M., Cawston, T.E., Hazleman, B.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1992; Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases caused by nematodes; Filariases; Glomerulonephritis - immunology; Glomerulonephritis - parasitology; Helminthic diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin A - analysis; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Immunoglobulin M - analysis; Infectious diseases; Loaiasis; Loiasis - immunology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Rheumatoid Factor - analysis; Tropical medicine; Nigeria; Africa; Human; Glomerulonephritis; Urinary system disease; Renal disease; Isotype; Helminthiasis; Infection; Rheumatoid factor; Nematod disease; Loa loa; Helmintha; Nemathelminthia; Filariosis; Invertebrata; Nematoda
• ISSN: 0035-9203; 1878-3503
• DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(92)90183-D

We have studied the distribution of rheumatoid factor isotypes amongst patients with loiasis with and without accompanying glomerulonephritis to determine the possible role of rheumatoid factor antiglobulins in this disease. Our findings indicate an increase in both immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM rheumatoid factor isotypes in patients with filariasis alone as well as in patients with accompanying glomerulonephritis. No association with IgA rheumatoid factor was found. The raised IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor levels did not correlate with corresponding IgG and IgM levels.