Altered Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on Peripheral CD14+ Blood Monocytes in Children with Urinary Tract Infection.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common bacterial infection, after otitis media, in infants and children. The mechanisms of disease susceptibility and the role of immunity in the pathogenesis of UTI in children have been evaluated. In recent years, Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) have been recognized as specific components of the innate immune system constituting important mediators in host immune recognition.

Clinical significance of anti-desmoglein-1 and -3 circulating autoantibodies in Pemphigus Patients Measured by Area Index and Intensity Score.

Detection of anti-desmoglein-1 (anti-DSG-1) and anti-DSG-3 autoantibodies is widely used in the diagnosis of pemphigus. Two validated scoring systems, Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) and Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disorder Intensity Score (ABSIS), are used for the evaluation of clinical severity. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to interpret the titres of pemphigus autoantibodies in correlation with either total or location-dependent PDAI scores and ABSIS.

Association of autoantibodies to BP180 with disease activity in Greek patients with bullous pemphigoid.

39 bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients were studied to assess the clinical significance of anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 circulating autoantibodies of BP and correlate their titers with the clinical scores of the BP Disease Area Index (BPDAI) and the Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disorder Intensity Score (ABSIS) as well as with the intensity of pruritus measured by the BPDAI pruritus component. All parameters were evaluated by the time of diagnosis (baseline), month 3, and month 6. Titers of anti-BP180 autoantibodies were strongly correlated with BPDAI (r = 0.

Molecular diagnosis and management of hereditary angioedema in a Greek family.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent angioedema episodes caused by a quantitative or functional defect of the plasma protein C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). Relapsing skin swellings, abdominal pain attacks and upper airway obstruction constitute the typical clinical manifestations. The incidence and severity of angioedema attacks are highly variable among HAE patients.

Does the presence of anti-CCP autoantibodies and their serum levels influence the severity and activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients?

This study aims to investigate the association of the presence and of the titer of autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (aCCP), with clinical manifestations and disease activity in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). From January 2000 through December 2005, 135 patients were diagnosed with RA at the Rheumatology Unit of our hospital. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic parameters were evaluated in all patients at study entry and at every follow-up visit.