Autoimmune diseases are marked by the presence of more or less specific autoantibodies for each of them. The detection and identification of these autoantibodies seem to be the pillars of the diagnosis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the ELISA technique compared to the immunodot, for the detection of extractable nuclear antigens antibodies Sm, SSA and SSB. This is a retrospective, comparative study of biological diagnostic techniques carried out over 6 months. 86 sera from patients tested by the immunodot for the detection of extractable nuclear antigens antibodies were analyzed by an ELISA test (AESKULISA) for the detection of anti-Sm, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. Sensitivities, specificities, PPVs, NPVs and the correlation index were calculated respectively for each of the three kits AESKULISA Sm (57.14%, 97.46%, 66.6%, 97.46%, 94%), AESKULISA SSA (53.84 %, 97.87%, 95.45%, 71.87%, 77.90%) and AESKULISA SSB (16.66%, 100%, 100%, 81.92%, 82.55%). Our study found low levels of sensitivity of the ELISA technique compared to the immunodot, which could be explained by the nature of the antigenic substrates, the coating procedures and the cut-off levels used by kits manufacturers. The immunodot appears to be more sensitive and more specific for the detection of anti-SSB antibodies and more sensitive for the detection of anti-SSA 52kDa antibodies. Indeed, a combination of two or more methods is to be recommended in order to optimize the relevance of the diagnostic test for the screening of anti-ENA antibodies.

The progressive loss of kidney function is associated with an inflammatory state and functional defects of the innate and adaptive immune system. The combined effects of increased activation and immune dysfunction could explain the susceptibility of patients in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) to viral and bacterial infections, their weak responses to vaccination and increased risk of malignant tumors and cardiovascular disease. It is important to underline that these immune complications mainly affect patients on dialysis. The mechanisms of these immunological disturbances observed in ESRD patients are still unclear. Early identification of chronic kidney disease allows implementing interventions to slow the progression to ESRD. Therefore, measures aimed at attenuating immune abnormalities in ESRD should be a main research area as this could lead to increased survival and better quality of life in HD patients.

Patients on dialysis are in a state of immunodeficiency, resulting in a high incidence of infectious complications. These patients are a population at risk for developing infection or reactivation with cytomegalovirus (CMV). The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG) among hemodialysis patients treated in CHU Ibn Rochd in Casablanca. Patients and Methods: This transversal study of 87 hemodialysis patients and 30 controls was to search CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG) and assess risk factors of infection. The control population was consisting of blood donors in blood transfusion center in Casablanca. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.1