Prognostic value of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in subjects with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) in subjects with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and in particular whether it is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: In the last 9 years, 64 patients were admitted to our Hospital with PSC: 34 males, mean age 53 years, range 17-90. All the patients had a cholestatic pattern of elevated serum enzymes.

Local allergic rhinitis: entopy or spontaneous response?

Background: The existence of a local allergic rhintis was proposed on the basis of the detection of nasal IgE in the absence of a systemic sensitization. Nevertheless, the significance of this phenomenon remains still unclear. We assessed the presence of mucosal nasal IgE in patients with ascertained allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis with inflammation and in healthy controls.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon treatment.

To study the influence of interferon therapy on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 we measured sICAM-1 levels in 22 patients with type C chronic hepatitis treated with interferon. We also studied 9 healthy subjects as control group. The results showed statistically significant higher levels of sICAM-1 in patients with liver disease than in the controls.