Correlation between biomarkers (calprotectin, seromucoid, metalloproteinase-3 and CRP) and clinical and endoscopic activity of ulcerative colitis in children.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical activity and inflammatory markers with the endoscopic activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) and mucosal healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 children aged 2-18 years (27 girls, 23 boys) diagnosed with UC at various stages of the disease; 8 children were assessed twice. In 20 children, colonoscopy revealed pancolitis, in 24 - left-sided colitis, and in 6 - ulcerative proctitis. The clinical activity of UC was assessed according to the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI). Endoscopic index of the colon inflammation was assessed according to the Rachmilewitz scoring. We assessed the clinical activity of UC, the concentration of fecal calprotectin (FC), seromucoid, metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: The study demonstrated significant decrease in the clinical activity, FC, seromucoid and MMP-3 in endoscopic remission. We found a strong positive correlation between PUCAI, FC, serum seromucoid and serum MMP-3 with the endoscopic activity. However, we found no relationship between the concentration of CRP and the endoscopic activity of the disease. Among the studied markers, seromucoid exhibited the best performance in distinguishing between patients with endoscopic remission and endoscopically active disease. CONCLUSIONS: The examined inflammatory markers such as FC, as well as serum seromucoid and MMP-3 levels may be helpful in the assessment of large intestine mucosal healing.

[Neurologic appearence of Behçet disease in 14-year old boy treated with adalimumab with good result]. / Postac neurologiczna choroby Behçeta leczona adalimumabem z dobrym efektem u 14-letniego chlopca.

Behçet disease is a multiorgan inflammatory vessel disorder of unknown etiology which only occasionally occurs in children. Here, we demonstrate a 14-year-old boy with Behçet disease diagnosed based on recurrent aphthous stomatitis, acneiform facial lesions, subpreputial erosions and extensive thrombosis involving sigmoid sinus, transverse sinus and right internal cervical vein. Treatment with low molecular weight heparins, systemic corticosteroids, and azathioprine only resulted in partial remission of clinical symptoms. Addition of adalimumab led to complete resolution of clinical and biochemical abnormalities and disappearance of thrombosis in central nervous system.