Noncontiguous multifocal spondylitis: an exceptional presentation of spinal brucellosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the imaging features of multilevel brucellar spondylitis and discuss the diagnostic challenges

Case: The authors report describes one case of noncontiguous synchronous multifocal involvement of thoracic and lumbar spine.

Results: Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, relatively frequent in Mediterranean countries and in the Middle East that can involve many organs and tissues. The spine is the most common site of musculoskeletal involvement, but multilevel involvement is uncommon and only ten cases were reported in literature.

Impact of the ankylosing spondylitis on the professional activity.

Purpose Of The Study: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting axial skeleton, occurring in young and active patients and often condition their professional prospects.

Objectives: To describe the social and occupational characteristics of patients affected by AS, to estimate the impact of the disease on their professional activity and to determine factors exposing to elevated risk of premature withdrawal from the labor force.

Methods: We had performed a cross-sectional study of 103 patients with AS recruited during 2 years (2005-2007) at the Department of Rheumatology, fulfilling the modified criteria of New York.

Diagnostic performances of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

To evaluate the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnostic performances of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP). Anti-CCP was detected by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 164 patients with RA and 343 controls. In addition, anti-CCP predictive value for radiological damage were investigated in 37 recent-onset RA patients followed up prospectively for 2 years.

Kingella kingae septic arthritis with endocarditis in an adult.

Kingella kingae is part of the nonpathogenic flora normally found in the oral cavity and pharynx. Recent reports have established that K. kingae can cause invasive infections in pediatric patients.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with uveitis but not with deep venous thrombosis in Behcet's disease.

Plasma homocysteine was assessed in Behcet's disease (BD) patients in order to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia in BD and to test its association with clinical manifestations of the disease. The study included 59 patients with BD and 118 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B(12) and folate were assessed by automated immunoassay methods.