Pregnancy does not affect fecal calprotectin concentration in healthy women.

Background/aims: Noninvasive activity markers are extremely important in conditions, such as pregnancy, when endoscopy is not recommended. The aim of this prospective study was to determine fecal calprotectin (FC) concentrations in healthy non-pregnant and pregnant women and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Materials And Methods: Healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women and patients with active and inactive IBD were prospectively enrolled in this study.

Antibody and cell-mediated immune response to whole virion and split virion influenza vaccine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on maintenance immunosuppressive and biological therapy.

Objective: Influenza vaccination is recommended for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients on immunosuppressive therapy. The objective was to evaluate the antibody and cell-mediated immune response to the split and whole virion influenza vaccine in patients with IBD treated with anti-TNF-α and immunosuppressive therapy.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and fifty-six immunocompromised IBD patients were vaccinated.

Utility of serum TNF-α, infliximab trough level, and antibody titers in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To assess tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), infliximab (IFX) concentrations, and antibodies against IFX molecules in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who develop loss of response, side effects, or allergic reaction during anti TNF-α therapy.

Methods: Blood samples of 36 patients with response loss, side effects, or hypersensitivity to IFX therapy (Group I) and 31 patients in complete clinical remission (Group II) selected as a control group were collected to measure trough serum TNF-α level, IFX, and anti-IFX antibody (ATI) concentration. We examined the correlation between loss of response, the development of side effects or hypersensitivity, and serum TNF-α, IFX trough levels, and ATI concentrations.

Frequency and prognostic role of mucosal healing in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis after one-year of biological therapy.

Aim: To assess the endoscopic activity before and after a one-year period of biological therapy and to evaluate the frequency of relapses and need for retreatment after stopping the biologicals in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: The data from 41 patients with CD and 22 patients with UC were assessed. Twenty-four CD patients received infliximab, and 17 received adalimumab.