Background: Anti-agalactosyl immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies (anti-AG IgG) have been reported to be detected and correlated with disease activity in some collagen diseases. Method: Forty-seven serum samples from patients with localiz ed scleroderma were examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result s: Anti-AG IgG were positive in 19%of patients with localized scleroderma. The frequency of anti-AG IgG in generalized morphea was much higher than that in l inear scleroderma or that in morphea.There was a significant correlation between anti-AG IgG levels and the number of the sclerotic lesions and between anti-A G IgG levels and the number of involved areas. The levels of anti-AG IgG were s ignificantly higher in patients with antinuclear antibody, antisingle-stranded DNA antibody or rheumatoid factor than in those without. Conclusion: Anti-AG Ig G can be an indicator of the severity of localized scleroderma.
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