Levels Of Acute Phase Reactants Research Articles

Colchicine resistance and intolerance in familial mediterranean fever: Definition, causes, and alternative treatments.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by recurrent serositis or arthritis attacks and, in some patients, chronic subclinical inflammation that predisposes to secondary amyloidosis. Colchicine is the gold standard of treatment, which reduces attack frequency and amyloidosis risk. However, up to 5% of patients are considered resistant or inadequately respond to colchicine, and some others cannot tolerate the side effects of effective doses of colchicine (colchicine intolerant). We examine how the definition of colchicine resistance has evolved along with various characteristics of colchicine that may help explain unresponsiveness to the drug. Key factors in assessing colchicine resistance include attack frequency and severity, levels of acute phase reactants, colchicine dosage and composition, and treatment compliance. Promising clinical results have been obtained with biologics targeting interleukin-1 in colchicine-resistant or -intolerant patients with FMF. These results underscore the need to identify patients who are not optimally managed with colchicine and who might therefore benefit from additional biologic therapies.

The value of acute phase reactants in predicting preterm delivery

Objective: We aimed to determine the potential value of maternal serum levels of acute phase reactants in the prediction of preterm delivery in women with threatened preterm labor (TPL).Methods: Ninety-one pregnant women diagnosed with TPL and 83 healthy pregnant women as a control group were included in this prospective controlled study. All the pregnant women were followed until delivery and obstetric data and the serum levels of acute phase reactants were recorded for each participant. The study group was further divided into two groups according to the gestational age at delivery, which include women delivering prematurely and the ones who gave birth at term.Results: Serum albumin levels were significantly lower and mean serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in the study groups when compared the control group.Conclusion: Although an association between decreased serum albumin level and TPL, also between increased serum ferritin levels and preterm birth and low birth weight were demonstrated, more extensive studies are needed to clarify the potential use of the acute phase reactants in the prediction of preterm birth.

Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus : A Monocentric Review of 13 Cases

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) can be either primary, with a genetic etiology, or secondary, associated with malignancies or infections. Among rheumatic or auto-immune disorders, HS occurs most frequently in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In recent years this syndrome has been increasingly reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We retrospectively studied SLE-associated HS in a monocentric lupus cohort patients.Methods :We reviewed the medical records of adult patients with SLE for a recent 6 years period (2010-2015) and identified patients who had developed HS. The diagnosis of SLE was made using ACR criteria (4 or more criteria) and HS has been diagnosed using Hunter criteria (5 or more). We conducted statistical analyses to identify the characteristics of those patients in comparison with SLE patients without HSResults :Among 110 consecutive lupus patients, 13 patients (12 women) was identified having HS. The mean age of patients was 37.69 +/- 11.4 years (21-68). HS revealed lupus in 3 patients; in the others the delay between diagnosis of SLE and HS was 12 months (1 months - 108). Fever, pericarditis and splenomegaly were found in 100%, 54% and 46% of patients at presentation of HS. Bone marrow aspiration indicated hemophagocytosis in all patients. Cutaneo-mucous and arthritis were present in 92% patients of patients at presentation of HS. Laboratory features were diverse, bicytopenia or pancytopenia, high C-reactive protein level (mean 93 mg/L) and hyperferritinemia (mean 11.082 ng/ml), hypertriglyceridemia (mean 4.2 g/L )were present in all patients. The mean hemoglobin level was 74 g/L (55-88 g/L), the mean neutrophils count was 6004 /µl (930-13.080), mean lymphocyte count 926/µl (350-1350) and the mean platelets 68.230/µl (10.000-98.000). All patients had anti-nuclear antibodies when the HS occurred. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies were present in 7 patients. Serum complement C3 was low in 10 patients.HS was associated with a lupus flare in 8 patients (3 renal flare, 3 central neurologic manifestations, one patient had proliferative nephropathy and polyradiculoneuritis and one patient pancreatitis). Infections was diagnosed in 11 patients (4 bacterial infections, 4 tuberculosis infection, 3 viral infections). Recognition of the cause of HS was particularly challenging because it may mimic the clinical features of the underlying disease or be confused with an infectious complication; both conditions was considered present in 6 patients.The most commonly used therapy was corticosteroids, which were initially administered in all patients. All patients respond first to steroids. Immunosuppressant therapy was used together with corticosteroids in 7 patients (intravenous cyclophosphamide in 6, mycophenolate mofetil in 1). Intravenous immunoglobulin was given in 3 cases and Rituximab was used as the third line treatment in one patients (with polyradiculonevritis). Anti-tuberculosis treatment was used also as first line treatment in 4 patients with life threatening presentation. All patients had a good outcome without any mortality with a mean follow-up of 25 months.Compared with SLE patients without HS, those with HS was older and showed a higher serum C-reactive protein level (p = 0.039), a higher ferritinemia (p = 0.004), higher SLEDAI score (p = 0.003), a lower levels of plasma neutrophils (p < 0.001), lower level of hemoglobin (p = 0.013), as well as lower platelets count (p=0.03).Conclusion :HS was observed in 11.8 % Moroccan patients with SLE. The occurrence of HS was most frequently associated with the SLE disease activity and bacterial infection. Profound cytopenia, a high SLEDAI score, and notable changes in the level of acute-phase reactants are the characteristics of SLE patients with HS in our series. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Drug survival of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Korea.

Background/AimsTo evaluate drug survival of the tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) and risk factors for the drug discontinuation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 487 AS patients at a single tertiary hospital. Among the TNFi users, drug survival and risk factors of TNFi discontinuation were investigated.ResultsAmong 487 patients, 128 AS patients were treated with at least one TNFi. Patients who were treated with TNFi were younger at disease onset, had more peripheral manifestations, and had higher level of acute phase reactants and body mass index than those of TNFi non-users at baseline. Of 128 patients, 28 patients (21.9%) discontinued first TNFi therapy during the follow-up period of 65.1 ± 27.9 months. In the multivariable analysis, female (hazard ratio [HR], 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.27 to 16.27; p = 0.003), hip involvement (HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.08 to 5.87; p = 0.033) and a high C-reactive protein (CRP; HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.21; p = 0.044) were risk factors for drug discontinuation. Etanercept showed better survival rate than infliximab. The main reason for discontinuation of TNFi was inefficacy.ConclusionsTNFi discontinuation rate of Korean patients with AS seems to be similar to those with the European patients. Female sex, hip involvement, CRP, and the type of TNFi were associated with TNFi discontinuation.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Atypical Intervertebral Disc and Sacroiliac Joint Involvement Mimicking Osteoarticular Tuberculosis in an Adult.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), typically found in children, is a rare single or multisystem disorder with a wide range of clinical and radiological manifestations. Unusual presentations of LCH are occasionally encountered and it may be difficult to distinguish LCH from an infection or a benign or malignant tumor. A 35-year-old female presented with pain in her back and left buttock, malaise, and weight loss, with a duration of several months. Her laboratory test results were within the normal ranges except for the levels of acute phase reactants, which were elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a unilateral destructive sacroiliac lesion, and multiple vertebral lesions with adjacent discal involvement and extensive soft tissue extensions. She was initially misdiagnosed with multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis. An open biopsy and joint curettage was performed. Histopathological examination showed that she had LCH. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of LCH associated with a destructive unilateral sacroiliac lesion, discal involvement, and involvement of the adjacent vertebrae, in an adult patient; the LCH mimicked osteoarticular tuberculosis. Disease onset in adulthood is rare, and this can potentially delay diagnosis. Familiarity with the imaging features of unusual LCH manifestations is necessary to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Inflammatory risk factors, biomarkers and associated therapy in ischaemic stroke

Proinflammatory conditions, including acute and chronic infections, have been associated with an increased risk of stroke. The risk of stroke is increased by both the acute and chronic phases of a wide spectrum of proinflammatory conditions, suggesting that the association is related to activation of the inflammatory response rather than the condition itself. Different inflammatory mechanisms probably influence the risk of different stroke subtypes. This hypothesis is supported by observations that high levels of various immune system markers and acute phase reactants in otherwise healthy individuals have also been associated with ischaemic stroke subtypes. C-reactive protein, IL-6 and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 are some of the inflammatory markers that have been associated with stroke risk and prognosis. Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated that these markers are associated with the risk of stroke, but the value of these markers in a clinical setting has not yet been proven. Further research is needed to determine whether immune system modulators can lower the risk of stroke in individuals with elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers. Here, we review the association between infection, systemic inflammation, and ischaemic stroke, and discuss the currently recommended preventive methods to decrease the risk of stroke associated with systemic inflammation.

Risk factors for local complications in children with community‐acquired pneumonia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that could predict the development of local complications (parapneumonic effusion/pleural empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, and lung abscess) in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were prospectively collected and compared in children with noncomplicated and complicated CAP. Two-hundred and three patients aged from 2 months to 17 years were enrolled. There were 141 and 62 children with noncomplicated and complicated CAP, respectively. Significantly longer duration of fever and a higher level of acute phase reactants were demonstrated in complicated when noncomplicated to complicated CAP. Asymmetric chest pain as well as prehospital treatment with ibuprofen and acetaminophen were significantly more common in patients with complicated CAP (P < .001, P = .02 and P = .003, respectively). Preadmission cumulative dose of ibuprofen exceeding 78.3 mg/kg (median dose for the entire group) was associated with 2.5-fold higher odds ratio (OR) for CAP complications [OR 2.54 CI (1.31-4.94); P = .008)]. In contrast, pneumococcal vaccination was associated with lower odds ratio [OR.03 CI (.23-.89); P = .03] for local complications. Some clinical and laboratory data including chest pain, longer duration of fever, higher acute phase reactants, and especially preadmission treatment with ibuprofen or acetaminophen were associated with local complications of CAP. The results of this study highlight the association between the dose of ibuprofen and local CAP complications.

Targeting Low Disease Activity in Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current and Future Roles of Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs.

Elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified into two clinical subsets, elderly-onset RA (EORA) and younger-onset elderly RA. With the improvement of life expectancy in the general population and advent of the super-aging society, the number of patients with EORA is anticipated to increase. Both large and small joints are affected initially at onset, and individuals with early EORA have higher scores of disease activity and levels of acute-phase reactants than those with early younger-onset RA. EORA is a progressive disease similar to younger-onset RA. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are equally or slightly less effective in elderly patients than in younger patients with RA, and disease duration may have a greater impact on disease outcomes than age. Evidence of non-TNF biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use in EORA is limited. TNF inhibitors may not increase the risk for infection in elderly patients any more than methotrexate; however, increasing age is an independent and strong risk factor for serious infections in patients with RA. Treatment choice in patients with EORA is strongly influenced by comorbidities, especially cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and frailty. To prevent progression to irreversible geriatric syndromes, non-frail patients with EORA, who are aging successfully should undergo intensive treatment using the treat-to-target strategy, and pre-frail and frail patients with EORA should be treated with the aim of returning to a non-frail or pre-frail stage, respectively. An appropriate treatment strategy for EORA and younger-onset elderly RA should be developed in the next decade using a multi-disciplinary approach.

Outcome in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis treated with corticosteroid or tamoxifen monotherapy.

BackgroundAlthough corticosteroids (CS) are used primarily in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (iRPF), tamoxifen (TMX) may be a suitable alternative. We compared outcome with CS or TMX monotherapy for first presentation in a large group of patients with iRPF disease.MethodsOf all patients with iRPF disease who were seen at our tertiary care referral centre from February 1999 to December 2011, 118 patients were eligible for this retrospective study. Treatment success was defined as the composite of (i) amelioration of symptoms, (ii) computed tomography (CT)-documented mass regression and, if applicable, (iii) definitive removal of ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube. Recurrence was defined as recurrence of signs and symptoms and/or CT-documented mass increase after initial treatment success with primary treatment.ResultsPresenting signs and symptoms did not differ between patients treated with CS (n = 50) or TMX (n = 68). Time to amelioration of symptoms after treatment initiation was shorter in CS-treated patients [CS, 2.0 (0.8–3.8) weeks versus TMX, 4.0 (2.0–6.0) weeks; P < 0.01]. Short-term percentual decrease in acute-phase reactant levels (P < 0.001 for both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein) and serum creatinine level (P < 0.01) following treatment initiation was greater in CS-treated patients compared with that in TMX-treated patients. Mass regression at first follow-up CT scan was observed more frequently in CS-treated patients (CS, 84.0% versus TMX, 68.3%; P = 0.05) with no difference in time interval from treatment initiation to first follow-up CT between groups [CS, 5 (2–7) months versus TMX, 4 (4–5) months; P = 0.34]. Definite treatment success was non-significantly higher in CS-treated patients (CS, 72.7% versus TMX, 58.3%; P = 0.15). In patients with initial treatment success with primary treatment, recurrence rate was lower in TMX-treated patients (CS, 62.5% versus TMX, 21.4%; P < 0.01).ConclusionsCS are superior to TMX in treating iRPF disease. However, in patients with initial treatment success with primary treatment, recurrence rate was lower in TMX-treated patients.

Chronic periaortitis and antiphospholipid syndrome: is there a link?

Chronic periaortitis (CP) is a rare fibro-inflammatory disease characterized by periaortic fibrosis and/or aortic aneurysms formation, mostly localized in retroperitoneum and occasionally in the mediastinum. Recent studies have shown its common association with autoimmune diseases, therefore autoimmunity has been proposed as a contributing factor. Herein, we describe the second case in the literature of CP associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. A 64-year-old man with history of open surgery for inflammatory thoracic aortic aneurysm and recurrent deep vein thrombosis was referred for abdominal pain and weight loss in the last 6 months. Further investigation revealed elevated acute-phase reactant levels, positive antiphospholipid autoantibodies, radiological and histological evidence of periaortic fibrosis and inflammation causing abdominal aortic aneurysm and ureteral obstruction. Diagnosis of CP and antiphospholipid syndrome were made and steroid therapy was implemented with clinical and radiological improvement. The present report further supports the potentially immune-mediated origin of CP, highlighting its possible linkage with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Atherosclerotic vascular lesions in patients with chronic brain ischemia

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Evidence suggests that the risk of atherosclerosis complications associated not only with local changes within atherosclerotic plaque (such as the state necrotic core or fibrous cap), but also with the state of blood or systemic factors. Circulating levels of cytokines, prothrombotic factors or acute phase reactants may play a role in the occurrence of acute stroke in the presence of affected vessels, even in the absence of stenosis. For example, increased serum biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, cytokines - predict the progression of atherosclerosis and risk of stroke. Stroke, may be caused by atherosclerosis of large arteries supplying the brain, or it may affect smaller branches inside the skull.

Proteins of the oral mucosa in experimental herpetic stomatitis

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of acute phase proteins levels and permeability proteins in the tissues of oral mucosa and blood plasma in case of experimental herpetic stomatitis.&#x0D; Methods. Levels of total protein, C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, α1-antitrypsin, prealbumin, albumin and microalbumin were determined in the homogenates of oral mucosa and blood plasma of 30 rats with experimental herpetic stomatitis.&#x0D; Results. Levels of C-reactive protein, orosomucoid and α1-antitrypsin in serum of rats with experimental herpetic stomatitis are increased. In the homogenates of the rat oral mucosa, levels of the studied proteins increased significantly, by 1.5-3.5 times compared to the control levels. Total protein, orosomucoid, prealbumin, and microalbumin levels increased not only in tissues affected by herpes, but also in the oral mucosa on the opposite side, indicating alterations of histochematic barrier transport of, most importantly, low molecular weight proteins, increased cell membrane permeability and changes in oral mucosa periodontal tissue structural integrity.&#x0D; Conclusion. Herpetic infection of the oral cavity is accompanied by increased levels of acute phase reactants in rat oral mucosa both on the side of oral mucosa infected by herpes and on healthy side. The level of not only acute phase proteins, but also low-molecular transport proteins allows to evaluation the alterations of oral mucosa membrane permeability in herpetic stomatitis.

Renal systems biology of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

A systems biology approach was used to comprehensively examine the impact of renal disease and hemodialysis (HD) on patient response during critical illness. To achieve this we examined the metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome of 150 patients with critical illness, stratified by renal function. Quantification of plasma metabolites indicated greater change as renal function declined, with the greatest derangements in patients receiving chronic HD. Specifically, 6 uremic retention molecules, 17 other protein catabolites, 7 modified nucleosides, and 7 pentose phosphate sugars increased as renal function declined, consistent with decreased excretion or increased catabolism of amino acids and ribonucleotides. Similarly, the proteome showed increased levels of low-molecular weight proteins and acute phase reactants. The transcriptome revealed a broad-based decrease in mRNA levels among patients on HD. Systems integration revealed an unrecognized association between plasma RNASE1 and several RNA catabolites and modified nucleosides. Further, allantoin, N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide, and n-acetylaspartate were inversely correlated with the majority of significantly down-regulated genes. Thus, renal function broadly affected the plasma metabolome, proteome, and peripheral blood transcriptome during critical illness; changes not effectively mitigated by hemodialysis. These studies allude to several novel mechanisms whereby renal dysfunction contributes to critical illness.

The familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) 50 score: does it work in a controlled clinical trial? Re-analysis of the trial of rilonacept for patients with colchicine resistant or intolerant FMF

BACKGROUND The familial Mediterranean fever 50 score (FMF50) score was recently devised to define response to treatment and as an outcome measure for clinical trials of FMF. OBJECTIVES To examine the performance of the FMF50 score in a previously published trial of rilonacept for patients whose FMF was resistant or intolerant to colchicine. METHODS We re-analyzed the data from our controlled trial of rilonacept vs. placebo in 14 patients with colchicine-resistant or intolerant FMF using the FMF50 score as the primary outcome. The FMF50 score required improvement by ≥ 50 in five of six criteria (attack frequency, attack duration, global patient assessment, global physician assessment, frequency of attacks with arthritis, and levels of acute-phase reactants) without worsening of the sixth criterion. RESULTS In the original trial rilonacept was considered effective according to the primary outcome measure (differences in the attack frequency) with eight analyzable patients considered responders and four as non-responders. According to the FMF50 score, only two participants would have been considered respondersto rilonacept, and one to placebo. Only two participants had ≥ 50% differences between rilonacept and placebo in five criteria. The major explanation for non-response to treatment was that with rilonacept the duration of attack decreased by ≥ 50% in only 2 participants and 5 participants had no attacks of arthritis either during screening (before randomization) or during treatment with rilonacept. CONCLUSIONS The proposed FMF50 score did not differentiate well between responders and non-responders compared to the a priori defined primary outcome measure in this successful controlled study.

Dexamethasone Therapy for Septic Arthritis in Children.

Prospective studies of children with septic arthritis report that adding dexamethasone to antibiotic therapy contributes significantly to clinical and laboratory improvement. This study sought to evaluate the effect of this regimen outside of a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of children with septic arthritis hospitalized at a tertiary pediatric medical center in 2008 to 2013. Disease course and outcome were compared between children treated with antibiotics alone or with adjuvant dexamethasone, according to the admitting department policy. The cohort included 116 patients, 90 treated with antibiotics alone and 26 treated with antibiotics+dexamethasone. The groups were similar for age, symptom duration before hospitalization, body temperature, acute-phase reactant levels, and rate of positive fluid cultures (21.6% total). Compared with monotherapy, antibiotics+dexamethasone treatment was associated with a shorter duration of fever (mean 2.3 vs 3.9 days, P = .002), more rapid clinical improvement (mean 6.3 vs 10.0 days to no pain/limitation, P < .001), more rapid decrease in C-reactive protein level to <1 mg/dL (mean 5.3 vs 8.4 days, P = .002), shorter duration of parenteral antibiotic treatment (mean 7.1 vs 11.4 days, P < .001), and shorter hospital stay (mean 8.0 vs 10.7 days, P = .004). Recurrent symptoms of fever and joint pain occurred in 4 patients in the antibiotics+dexamethasone group after completion of the steroid course. Children with septic arthritis treated early with a short course of adjuvant dexamethasone show earlier improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters than children treated with antibiotics alone.

Comorbidity between depression and inflammatory bowel disease explained by immune-inflammatory, oxidative, and nitrosative stress; tryptophan catabolite; and gut-brain pathways.

The nature of depression has recently been reconceptualized, being conceived as the clinical expression of activated immune-inflammatory, oxidative, and nitrosative stress (IO&NS) pathways, including tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT), autoimmune, and gut-brain pathways. IO&NS pathways are similarly integral to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The increased depression prevalence in IBD associates with a lower quality of life and increased morbidity in IBD, highlighting the role of depression in modulating the pathophysiology of IBD.This review covers data within such a wider conceptualization that better explains the heightened co-occurrence of IBD and depression. Common IO&NS underpinning between both disorders is evidenced by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, eg, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6 trans-signalling; Th-1- and Th-17-like responses; neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor levels; positive acute phase reactants (haptoglobin and C-reactive protein); lowered levels of negative acute phase reactants (albumin, transferrin, zinc) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β); increased O&NS with damage to lipids, proteinsm and DNA; increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase; lowered plasma tryptophan but increased TRYCAT levels; autoimmune responses; and increased bacterial translocation. As such, heightened IO&NS processes in depression overlap with the biological underpinnings of IBD, potentially explaining their increased co-occurrence. This supports the perspective that there is a spectrum of IO&NS disorders that includes depression, both as an emergent comorbidity and as a contributor to IO&NS processes. Such a frame of reference has treatment implications for IBD when "comorbid" with depression.

Rosuvastatin Lowers Systemic Inflammatory Response in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Accompanied by Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is commonly associated with a systemic inflammatory response that may lead to severe complications. Classic signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome are complement activation and changes in cytokine and acute phase reactant levels. The effects of rosuvastatin after CPB on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) levels were investigated. Thirty-seven male and thirteen female patients (total=50) aged 42 to 78 years, who had coronary bypass surgery due to coronary artery disease were randomly divided into two groups. The 25 patients in the control group were administered placebos. The 25 in the treatment group were administered 20 mg rosuvastatin tablets daily between preoperative day 7 and postoperative day 28. Blood samples were taken at six time points; before induction of anesthesia (T1), during CPB (T2), five minutes after removal of cross clamp (T3), after protamine infusion (T4), postoperative day three (T5) and postoperative day 28 (T6). Data points were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Rosuvastatin lowered IL-6 levels at T4, T5 and T6 time points (T4, T5, T6 p < 0.05), and elevated IL-10 levels at T3 and T4 (T3, T4 p < 0.05). IL-18 levels were also elevated at multiple time points. Rosuvastatin also lowered hs-CRP levels and cholesterol levels at T6 (p < 0.05). Administering 20 mg/day of rosuvastatin between preoperative day 7 and postoperative day 28 may result in fewer complications in certain (especially intraoperative) cases of systemic inflammatory response caused by the CPB technique used in coronary bypass surgery.

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of Turkish patients with late onset ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which typically begins in early decades of life with primarily axial joints involvement. This disease rarely affects patients older than 50 years of age. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of late onset and early onset AS patients who were followed up in a single rheumatology center. A total of 339 patients who have been diagnosed with AS according to modified New York criteria were included in the study. The patients whose initial symptoms were observed after 50 years of age were accepted as late onset AS. Out of 339 patients, 27 (7.9%) were diagnosed as late onset AS and 312 (92.3%) patients were evaluated as early onset AS. Of 27 late onset patients, 10 were male and 17 were female. Delay in the diagnosis was 5.8 years for early onset AS, while it was 3.8 years for late onset AS (p = 0.001). Higher levels of acute phase reactants and more methotrexate (MTX) use were detected in early onset AS patients compared to late onset AS (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, respectively). Statistically, there was no difference between these two groups, with regard to disease clinical activity indexes, anthropometric measurement parameters, uveitis and peripheral joint involvement. In this study, we showed that early and late onset AS patients may present with different clinical, genetic, and laboratory features. Late onset AS patients are characterized with lower human leukocyte antigen-B27 sequence, less inflammatory sign, delayed diagnosis, and less MTX and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drug usage.

Kingella kingae infections in children.

BackgroundImprovements in culture techniques and molecular detection methods have led to findings indicating that, particularly in infants and young children, Kingella kingae is a significantly more important pathogen than previously thought. However, despite this, the pediatric community is still largely unaware of the existence of this organism. The aim of this review is therefore to summarise current knowledge of the epidemiology, transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of K. kingae infections in children.DiscussionK. kingae is a common coloniser of the oropharynx, can be transmitted from child to child, and can cause outbreaks of infection. Invasive infections almost exclusively occur in children aged between six months and four years of age, and involve mainly joints and bone, less frequently the endocardium, and very rarely other localisations. With the exception of bacteremia and endocarditis, which can be followed by severe complications, the diseases due to K. kingae are usually accompanied by mild to moderate clinical signs and symptoms, and only slightly altered laboratory data. Moreover, they generally respond to widely used antibiotics, although resistant strains are reported. However, the mild symptoms and limited increase in the levels of acute phase reactants create problems because K. kingae disease may be confused with other clinical conditions that have a similar clinical picture.ConclusionsAlthough K. kingae was identified more than 50 years ago, it is poorly known by pediatricians and is not systematically sought in laboratories. Education is therefore necessary in order to reduce the risk of outbreaks, permit the early identification of K. kingae infections, and allow the prompt prescription of adequate therapeutic regimens capable of avoiding the risk of a negative evolution in those cases in which this elusive pathogen can cause significant clinical problems.

Searching for methods to predict septic complications in surgical patients

Aim. To assess the significance of acute stage reactants as the marker for purulent complications in surgical patients.Methods. We analyzed the results of treatment of 228 patients with purulent and inflammatory diseases of soft tissues, treated in 2011-2014. Acute phase reactants: C-reactive protein, albumin and fibrinogen were measured starting from the day of admission and surgical treatment and during the next 7 days. The control group (112 patients) included patients whowere treated conventionally by gauze bandage with water-soluble ointments and antiseptic solutions and broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the study group (116 patients) topical treatment of wounds was performed using «Poliderm» bandages.Results. Application of the «Poliderm» combined dressing reduced the wounds clearance term from 4.3±0.5 to 3.2±0.4 days, active inflammation term from 8.8±1.3 to 6.4±0.7 days, epithelialization of the wound from 10.1±0.8 to 8.4±0.6 days. C-reactive protein level was 87.3±4.3 g/l at the day of admission and decreased by day 7 to 34.13±1.2 g/l, compared to 51.83±3.6 g/l on the 7th day in the control group. Albumin level was 42.73±3.7 g/l in the study group with further decrease to 40.33±1.7 g/l on the 2nd and subsequent increase up to 45.13±1.3 g/l on the day 7. Patients of the control group had albumin level decreased on the 2nd and 3rd days with further increase up to 41.73±2.1 g/l on the day 7. At the treatment start, leukocyte intoxication index was 5.923±0.4 in the main group and 5.873±0.3 in the control group. On the 2nd day, this parameter decreased to 5.12 in the main group and to 5.41 in the control group.Conclusion. Measuring the levels of acute phase reactants (C-reactive protein, albumin, etc.) allows to assess the clinical course of a purulent and inflammatory disease, to register the good treatment effect on the 1-2nd day of treatment, even before the significant clinical changes, changes in the body temperature, white blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.