Abstract: In subjects with hypertension, increases in intima-media thickness (IMT) at four years were less in subjects also having high autoantibodies particularly IgM, to phosphorylcholine. The presence or absence of autoantibodies, particularly IgM, against phosphrylcholine is thus related to an increased or decreased risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. A method to determining antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies, toward phosphorylcholine is proposed in this invention to identify subjects at risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Animal experiments show that medium to high levels of antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies, can be detected in plasma after active immunization with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-phosphorylcholine conjugate.

Abstract: The invention relates to diagnosing the presence or absence of antibodies, such as IgM, IgG or IgA antibodies, related to increased or decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, using a phosphorylcholine conjugate. In addition, the invention relates to methods of immunization and prophylaxis, prevention and/or treatment of a subject against Alzheimer's disease, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one phosphorylcholine conjugate, or the step of administering to the subject an antibody preparation, for example a monoclonal antibody, with reactivity to a phosphorylcholine and/or a conjugate thereof.

Abstract: IgG and IgM autoantibody levels against phosphorylcholine in subjects with hypertension (diastolic pressure >95 mmHg) were determined at baseline in order to determine the importance of antibodies for the development of atherosclerosis. The results show that increases in intima-media thickness (IMT) at a follow-up four years after baseline were significantly less prevalent in subjects having high autoantibodies particularly high IgM autoantibodies, to phosphorylcholine. The presence or absence of autoantibodies, particularly IgM autoantibodies, against phosphorylcholine is thus related to an increased or decreased risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. A method to determining antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies, toward phosphorylcholine is proposed in this invention to identify subjects at risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A method of and kit for diagnosing cardiovascular disease in a human involves assessing the presence and/or concentration of antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) in a sample of body fluid of the human.

Abstract: A kit for diagnosing cardiovascular disease and increased levels of early atherosclerosis in a human involves assessing the presence and/or concentration of antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) in a sample of body fluid of the human.

Abstract: A method of and kit for diagnosing cardiovascular disease in a human involves assessing the presence and/or concentration of antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) in a sample of body fluid of the human.

Abstract: A method of and a kit for diagnosing spontaneous abortion involves assessing in a human the presence and/or concentration of antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) in a sample of body fluid of the human.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing cardiovascular disease and increased risk of early atherosclerosis in a human wherein the presence and/or concentration of antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) in a sample of body fluid of said human is assessed. The present invention further provides a kit carrying out said method.