This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by MCDERMOTT, M. T. Articles by KIDD, G. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by MCDERMOTT, M. T. Articles by KIDD, G. S.

Antideoxyribonucleic Acid Antibodies in Graves’ Disease^*

Endocrinology and Rheumatology Services, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and the Rheumatology Service, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262 Aurora, Colorado 80045–5001
The Rheumatology Service, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Denver, Colorado 80262

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Michael T. McDermott, M.D., Endocrine Service, Department of Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado 80045–5001.

Antidouble stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies have been detected by a sensitive RIA in the sera of 28–100% of patients with Graves’ disease, but it remains unclear whether these assays have detected authentic dsDNA antibodies. We have obtained sera from 42 patients with active Graves’ disease and no known connective tissue disorders. All sera were tested for dsDNA antibodies by 2 quantitative RIAs (Farr assay and Millipore filter assay; normal, < 20% for both assays) and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay for antibodies to dsDNA and to single stranded DNA (ssDNA). All sera were negative for dsDNA antibodies by the Farr assay and by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, 2 of 42 had mildly elevated levels (33% and 23%) by the Millipore filter assay, and 7 of 42 were positive for ssDNA antibodies. The 2 positive sera for dsDNA antibodies were also tested using the Crithidia luciliae indirect immunofluorescence assay, and both were negative.

Patients with Graves’ disease have been reported to have an increased prevalence of antinuclear antibodies, but the more recent findings of dsDNA antibodies in these patients is of interest because dsDNA antibodies are considered to be specific for systemic lupus erythematosus. Our data suggest that true immunoglobulin G dsDNA antibodies are not elevated during active Graves’ disease, and positive assay results may be due to measurement of ssDNA antibodies, immunoglobulin M dsDNA antibodies, or nonantibody DNA binding.

^* The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private view of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.

Received December 27, 1989.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M G Tektonidou, M Anapliotou, P Vlachoyiannopoulos, and H M Moutsopoulos Presence of systemic autoimmune disorders in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases Ann Rheum Dis, September 1, 2004; 63(9): 1159 - 1161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]