Significance of antibody to double-stranded DNA in autoimmune hepatitis

Objective To study the significance of antibody to double-stranded DNA (anti- dsDNA) in autoimmune hepatitis(AIH). Methods Anti-dsDNA were detected by immunological blotting. According to the anti-dsDNA, the patients were separated two groups: anti-dsDNA positive group and anti-dsDNA negative group. The clinical characteristics were compared between anti-dsDNA positive AIH group and negative group. Results Among the 43 serum samples, 13 (30.23%) eases with anti-dsDNA positive were found. The average level of AST(aspartate aminotransferase) and TBIL(total bilirubin) were (647.56 ±529.77) IU/L and (10.81± 8.08) rag/L, respectively, which was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). PTA (prothrombin activity) was 75.72%± 30.23 %, lower than that of the control group(P < 0.05). The liver cirrhosis rate in the anti-dsDNA positive AIH group was 61.5% (8/13), ,significantly higher than that of the control group. The time from the onset to liver cirrhosis was significantly shorter in an- ti-dsDNA positive AIH group than that of control group by the survival analysis and log rank test (P = 0. 0074). Conclusion AIH patients with anti-dsDNA positive generally associate with the serious liver damage, and prognosis is worse. Key words: Antibodies to double-stranded DNA;  Autoimmune hepatitis;  Liver cirrhosis