Autoimmune Thyroiditis Induced by Bartonella henselae (Cat-Scratch Disease) Might Be Reversible.

Introduction: Bartonella henselae infection leads to development of cat-scratch disease (CSD) but may also trigger of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT).

Case Presentation: We describe a 4-year-old boy with a severe fever of unknown etiology, disseminated neck lymphadenopathy, and a headache. Treatment with antibiotics was employed, but finally a left tonsillectomy, selective left lymphadenectomy, and immunophenotyping were performed to exclude lymphoma.

Proinflammatory cytokines in monitoring the course of disease and effectiveness of treatment with etanercept (ETN) of children with oligo- and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Background: The demonstration of the quantitative prevalence of specific cytokines in JIA formed the basis for the introduction of biological anticytokine drugs to treatment. Routine assessment of the concentration of these cytokines in blood serum may enable earlier decision making on the legitimacy of biological treatment (anti-TNF). The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of TNFalpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta in monitoring the course of the disease and effectiveness of treatment with etanercept of children with oligo- and polyarticular JIA.

Serum TNF-α levels and indicators of disease activity in children with oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA) in the first year of the disease.

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common arthropathy in childhood. Clinical assessment in JIA patients is based on clinical examination and conventional parameters of inflammation. Regardless of the JIA form, a distinctive characteristic of JIA is joint inflammation, which is sustained by an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors.