Serum Levels of the Systemic and Brain-Specific Antibodies in Autistic Children

Abstract

Abstract Background Some autistic children may have an imbalance of the T-helper (Th)1/Th2 lymphocytes toward Th2. Th2 cells are responsible for the allergic response and the production of antibodies. Aim We were motivated to investigate the frequency of the brain specific antibodies anti- myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (anti-MoG) and systemic antibodies Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) in the serum of a group of Egyptian autistic children. Patients and Methods This pilot case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University over a period of 6 months, from May 2022 to November 2022. Twenty five autistic children aged 4 to 16 years and twenty five age- and sex-matched healthy children were included after excluding children with any chronic, allergic or autoimmune disease. Diagnosis of autism was settled according to 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Serum levels of brain specific antibodies (anti-MoG) and systemic antibodies (ANA) were assessed for the patients and healthy children using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results Male to female ratio was 3.17:1. Family history of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was positive in 2 patients. True seizures were detected in 3/25 (12%) of the studied children. Mild ASD was found among 64% and severe illness was detected among the other 36% of the studied patients using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). According to anti-ANA 23 healthy control children had negative ANA and the other two had positive ANA. However 23 autistic children had negative ANA and two had borderline level. Anti-ANA not detected among autistic children. According to Anti-MOG 25 healthy control children had negative anti-MOG. However 24 autistic children had negative anti-MOG and one had positive anti- MOG. P-Value of anti-MOG was 1.00 and P-Value of anti-ANA was 0.135. Conclusion Specific brain antibodies, anti-MOG, and systemic antibodies, ANA were not detected in higher levels among autistic children compared to healthy control. The study was limited by the small sample size. ASD patients and healthy children showed comparable serum levels of ANA. One autistic child had positive anti-MOG. Compared to healthy control group, the difference of results of brain antibodies was statistically non-significant.