Prevalence of ANA and Anti-GBM Antibodies among Patients with Renal Failure in Tikrit City

Abstract

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) people need regular hemodialysis because they have chronic renal disease, which is a major health issue.  Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of ANA and Anti-GBM antibodies, associated infections, and bacterial isolates in hemodialysis patients, comparing the findings with a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, at Tikrit Teaching Hospital. The study comprised a cohort of 240 patients, aged 15-75 years, who were diagnosed with chronic renal disease and were receiving hemodialysis. Additionally, a control group of 40 healthy persons was included. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology was utilized to collect blood samples for the purpose of detecting ANA and Anti-GBM antibodies. Results: There was a modest preponderance of men in the sex distribution of hemodialysis patients. The age distribution was adequately represented throughout several decades. The investigation revealed notable disparities in the occurrence of ANA and Anti-GBM antibodies between hemodialysis patients and the control group. Out of the patients undergoing hemodialysis, 32.29% were found to have ANA antibodies, and 29.17% were found to have Anti-GBM antibodies. In contrast, none of the individuals in the control group tested positive for either type of antibody. The prevalence of Hepatitis C and B viruses among hemodialysis patients was 8.33% and 5.21% respectively. 52.08% of the patients had diabetes, whereas 57.29% had hypertension. In addition, the bacteria obtained from the mouth exhibited a varied microbial composition, with the most common species being Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus viridans. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the notable occurrence of ANA and Anti-GBM antibodies in hemodialysis patients, which is associated with a heightened susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Implementing efficient infection control techniques and enhancing oral hygiene practices are crucial for effectively controlling infections in hemodialysis patients. Additional investigation is required to examine the intricacies of the microbial composition in this particular group and to formulate thorough measures for preventing infections.