The invention belongs to the field of immunological methods, more precisely to the field of methods for detecting anti-dsDNA important to diagnostics of chronic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fluorometrically, this immune method determines anti-dsDNA antibodies thereby solving the technical problem of designing methods for determination of these autoantibodies, which is faster, cheaper and less toxic than the standard method Farr-RIA having the same diagnostic specificity (which is 100 %) and improved diagnostic sensitivity (by 3%). Determination of anti-dsDNA is based on the detection of fluorescence in the two fractions of samples, e.g. in the supernatant and in the sample with a precipitate, in the presence of immune complexes comprised of the added dsDNA and anti-dsDNA antibodies present in the serum of the patient, wherein the detected fluorescence is the result of binding of the fluorescent dye with dsDNA bound to an immune complex, as well as free dsDNA. The method according to the invention, allows reliable results to be obtained, as well as rapid analysis of samples and faster availability of results to the clinician. It also eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals to man and the environment, as well as lower testing costs compared to the standard radioimmunoassay method Farr-RIA.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 3947377Invited lecture at the Zurich University Hospital, Switzerland
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 31904985Invited lecture at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University Medical School
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 32478169Objectives To validate the two recently developed disease activity indexes for assessment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS): the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) and the EULAR SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI). Methods A prospective international 6-month duration validation study was conducted in 15 countries. At each visit, physicians completed ESSDAI, SS disease activity index (SSDAI), Sjögren's Systemic Clinical Activity Index (SCAI) and physician global assessment (PhGA); and patients completed ESSPRI, Sicca Symptoms Inventory (SSI), Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort (PROFAD) and patient global assessment (PGA). Psychometric properties (construct validity, responsiveness and reliability) were evaluated and compared between scores. Results Of the 395 patients included, 145 (37%) and 251 (64%) had currently active or current or past systemic manifestations, respectively. EULAR scores had higher correlation with the gold standard than other scores (ESSDAI with PhGA: r=0.59; ESSRPI with PGA: r=0.70). Correlations between patient and systemic scores were very low (ranging from 0.07 to 0.29). All systemic scores had similar large responsiveness in improved patients. Responsiveness of patient scores was low but was significantly higher for ESSPRI compared with SSI and PROFAD. Reliability was very good for all scores. Conclusions ESSDAI and ESSPRI had good construct validity. All scores were reliable. Systemic scores had a large sensitivity to change in patients whose disease activity improves. Patient scores had a small sensitivity to change, however, significantly better for ESSPRI. Systemic and patient scores poorly correlated, suggesting that they are 2 complementary components that should be both evaluated, but separately.
F.01 Acquisition of new practical knowledge, information and skills
COBISS.SI-ID: 31989209Invited lecture at Stanford University
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 32422873