[The importance of the interpretation of autoantibodies: apropos of a case with anti-Ro antibodies during pregnancy]

Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1990 Jan 10;120(1-2):27-9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Anti-Ro antibodies are autoantibodies which are directed against cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens. They are found in serum of patients suffering from Sjögren syndrome (70% of the cases) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, about 20%). In SLE patients who are pregnant the anti-Ro antibodies are found in the serum of the newborn and have been associated with congenital heart block. We present here the case of a pregnant woman without clinical disease but with high titers of antinuclear, anti-RNP and anti-Ro antibodies. Pregnancy and delivery were uneventful and the three autoantibodies were found in the newborn's serum. We conclude that the presence of several autoantibodies, even in high titers and in a pregnant woman, should be interpreted with caution, in light of the clinical presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn / immunology*
  • Pregnancy / immunology*
  • Ribonucleoproteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Autoantibodies
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • SS-A antibodies