B lymphocyte antigen D8/17 and repetitive behaviors in autism

Eric Hollander, Gina DelGiudice-Asch, Lorraine Simon, James Schmeidler, Charles Cartwright, Concetta M. DeCaria, Jee Kwon, Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles, Floresta Chapman, John B. Zabriskie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Monoclonal antibody D8/17 identifies a B lymphocyte antigen with expanded expression in rheumatic fever, Sydenham's chorea, and subgroups of obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome with repetitive behaviors. The authors examined the rate of D8/17 expression in children with autism and its correlation with severity of repetitive behaviors. Method: Blood samples from 18 patients with autism and 14 comparable medically ill children were evaluated for percentage of D8/17-positive B cells by immunofluorescence and for streptococcal antibodies. Severity of repetitive behaviors was also determined. Results: The frequency of individuals with ≥11% D8/17-positive cells was significantly higher in the autistic patients (78%) than the comparison subjects (21%), severity of repetitive behaviors significantly correlated with D8/17 expression, and D8/17-positive patients had significantly higher compulsion scores than D8/17-negative patients. Conclusions: D8/17 expression is high in patients with autism and may serve as a marker for compulsion severity within autism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)317-320
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume156
Issue number2
StatePublished - Feb 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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