ABSTRACT
A cross sectional observational study of 56 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] was designed to study nitric oxide [NO] levels and their relation to the disease activity and its value as an indicator for the follow up of these two diseases. Twenty-five healthy age and sex matched children were recruited as controls. Full history taking, proper clinical examination and laboratory investigation of the subjects were done. Blood samples were collected and NO, nitrite and nitrate were measured biochemically. Serum NO, nitrite and nitrate were significantly higher in each of JRA and SLE cases compared with the control group. Patients with active disease showed higher NO levels compared with non-active disease, yet it did not reach significant levels. A positive significant correlation was observed between NO and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] for patients with active SLE and JRA, respectively. A negative significant correlation was found between NO and lymphocyte count in active SLE; while, a positive significant correlation between NO and steroid therapy duration of JRA with active disease was observed
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Arthritis, Juvenile/diagnosis , Biomarkers , Nitrites , Nitrates , Nitric Oxide , Child , Follow-Up Studies , Diagnostic Tests, RoutineABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of cytomegalovirus [CMV] and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] infections in the pathogenesis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and childhood systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. The study included 31 JRA patients, 29 childhood onset SLE patients and 21 age and sex matched healthy controls. It was concluded that the prevalence of CMV and EBV is high in pediatric patients with JRA and SLE. These findings supported the hypothesis that these viral infections may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases of childhood