OBJECTIVES:1) To compare the sensitivity of serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) and other acute phase proteins (APPs) in determining subclinical inflammation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) during an attack-free period; 2) to define those clinical, laboratory features that may modify the A-SAA level; and 3) to evaluate the effect of an increase in the colchicine dose on the A-SAA level.METHODS:A-SAA, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen and ferritin levels were measured in 183 patients [88 F, 95 M; median age 11.0 years (1.0-20.0)] with FMF during an attack-free period. Mutational analysis was available in 157 patients. The colchicine dose was increased in 26 randomly chosen patients with no attacks within the last year; laboratory studies were repeated at the end of the second month.RESULTS:During an attack-free period, the median A-SAA level was 74 (6-1,500) mg/L; other APPs were within normal ranges in 49-93% of the patients. Age, gender, age at onset, age at diagnosis, the duration of treatment and the frequency of attacks had no significant effect on the A-SAA level. Homozygous and compound heterozygous patients had higher A-SAA levels than heterozygous patients [129 mg/L (8-1,500) versus 29 mg/L (6-216); p < 0.005]. There was a dramatic decrease in the A-SAA level [from 244 mg/L (16-1,400) to 35.5 mg/L (8-1,120); p < 0.001] and an increase in the hemoglobin (1.89 +/- 0.10 mmol/L to 1.98 +/- 0.19 mmol/L; p < 0.005) after the increase in colchicine dose in 26 patients.CONCLUSION:Subclinical inflammation continues during an attack-free period in FMF patients. A-SAA was the best marker of subclinical inflammation. Patients who are homozygous or compound heterozygotes of MEFV mutations had higher A-SAA levels. An increase in the colchicine dose resulted in a dramatic decrease in A-SAA and an increase in hemoglobin level. These findings favor the use of A-SAA in drug monitoring.

We present the results of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) staining in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Thirty-one patients with an age range of 1–16 years were included in the study: 13, 15 and three patients, respectively, were classified having oligoarticular, polyarticular and systemic-onset disease. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis revealed ANCA staining in 45% of the patients. All, except one, revealed atypical pANCA staining. ELISA studies for anti-myeloperoxidase were positive in only one patient with typical pANCA staining. PR-3 ANCA tested negative in all patients. There were no significant correlations between ANCA staining and the clinical parameters of the patients. We conclude that, although the specificity of ANCA in JCA remains to be elucidated, it may be effective in the pathogenesis of the disease.

We aimed to evaluate the presence of peripheral antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) and cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) in children with SLE and to correlate its association of laboratory findings. Twenty-one children with SLE were studied. Serum samples in patients were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) slide kit (INOVA) for c-ANCA and p-ANCA and by ELISA for myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA) and proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA). All the patients but two were quiescent for lupus at the time of sampling. Sixteen of 21 patients showed positive IIF staining whereas only 5 had MPO-ANCA and 2 of nine PR3-ANCA. The data suggests that SLE may be associated p-ANCA directed against additional target antigens rather than MPO and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE or may be only non-specific antibodies developed in lupus.

The levels of protein C (PC) and antithrombin III (AT III) antigens (ag) were measured in the plasma of 39 patients with various histologic types of primary nephrotic syndrome (NS) and in 12 patients with amyloidosis secondary to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The controls comprised 15 healthy children. Normal or elevated PC levels were observed in primary NS patients (mean 64%, range 36-98%) and in amyloidosis patients (mean 58%, range 48-70%). There was no difference found between PC ag levels in primary NS and in amyloidosis patients. In addition, no correlation existed between protein selectivity and the PC ag levels in the primary NS patients. Normal and decreased levels of AT III were observed (mean 29 mg/dl, range 11.1-39 mg/dl) in the patients with primary NS and amyloidosis (mean 31 mg/dl range, 21-39 mg/dl). The AT III ag levels of these two groups did not differ and no correlation was found between protein selectivity and AT III levels in primary NS patients. These results suggest that in patients with primary NS, or amyloidosis secondary to FMF, hypercoagulability is not related to a deficiency in PC ag levels due to a dynamic balance between urinary losses, increased rate of hepatic synthesis, catabolism and the distribution of PC in the body compartments. Patients with low AT III levels may be more susceptible to thromboembolic complications than patients with normal levels.