Shift in skin microbiota of children with atopic dermatitis after topical gentian violet application.

Introduction: Increasing usage of antimicrobial agents may contribute to bacterial resistance in atopic dermatitis (AD). In this case an alternative topical treatment might be gentian violet (GV), suggested for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Aim: To assess the microbial composition of lesional skin in children with AD and a control group aged 2-12 years, before and after 3 days of 2% aqueous GV application. Material and methods: Skin samples were taken from 30 AD patients and 30 healthy controls aged 2-12 years. The procedure was done two times - before and after 3 days of 2% aqueous GV application. The material was collected from skin lesions in the cubital fossa using 25 cm2 impression plates, containing CHROMagar Staph aureus and CHROMagar Malassezia. After the incubation period, the grown colonies were counted and identified by the Phoenix BD testing system. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant reduction in total counts of bacteria in both groups of children after GV application (p < 0.05). The significant decrease in the number was seen in Staphylococcus spp. (S. aureus, S. capitis, S. haemolyticus, S. cohnii) in AD patients. The number of Staphylococcus spp. was comparable in patients with AD after GV treatment and healthy patients before GV exposure (p = 1.000). Conclusions: Our study results show that GV does not damage the skin surface ecosystem and allows the reduction of excessive bacterial counts on eczematous lesions to a 'safe' level, similar to that of healthy children.

The role of heterodimer IL-17-A/F in atopic dermatitis.

Introduction: The importance of multifactorial dysregulation in immune response is well recognised in atopic dermatitis (AD). Th17 family cytokine IL-17 (IL-17A-F) is of significance in both acute and chronic phase of AD. Aim: We analysed the differences between serum levels of IL-17A/F and IL-17A, IL-17-F, IL-13, IL-4, association of rs2275913 IL-17A and rs763780 IL-17F gene polymorphisms in paediatric AD patients and control subjects. Material and methods: We assessed 30 children with AD and 30 healthy patients aged 2-12 years. Eczema Area and Severity Index, Investigator Global Assessment and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis scales were used to analyse the severity of skin lesions in AD patients. Genotyping was performed using PCR and the serum concentrations of IL-17A/F, IL-17A, IL-17F, while IL-13 and IL-4 interleukins were determined by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The revised median assessment scoring in disease severity showed that the studied AD population had a moderate course of the disease. The obtained results indicated elevated plasma levels of IL-17A/F and IL-17-13 in AD patients with no statistically significance of IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-4 compared to controls. AD duration was positively correlated with IL-13 levels and negatively with IL-17A/F (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between case and control groups in the frequency of genotypes and alleles at rs2275913 IL-17A and rs763780 IL-17F polymorphisms (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates increased levels of IL-17A/F in atopic patients, which is positively correlated with severity of the disease and the early phase of the disease. These results highlight a functional role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of AD in paediatric patients.

Changes in lipid and apolipoprotein levels in response to 8-week cardiac rehabilitation in men with coronary artery disease.

Concentrations of selected lipoproteins are currently useful cardiovascular risk assessment indicators, especially in monitoring lipid-lowering therapy. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the influence of 8-week mid-term CR on apolipoproteins: A-I, B, E and VLDL in CAD patients in relation to conventional lipid profile and prior coronary intervention: PCI or CABG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 93 male patients admitted to CR after PCI or CABG. At baseline and after CR, conventional lipid profile parameters and VLDL concentrations were evaluated. Apolipoproteins: A-I, B, E were also determined. Basic anthropometric indicators and measurements of hemodynamic and exercise tolerance at rest and peak workload in exercise testing (HR, sBP, dBP, DP, W) were measured. RESULTS: After CR, depending on revasculazation intervention, no changes in HDL-C, LDL-C, TG and VLDL values were observed (p>0.05). Reduction in apoA-I was noted in PCI group (p=0.0254). No statistically significant changes in apoB and apoE were found in groups. Significant increase in apo B/apo A-I index was observed only in PCI group (p=0.0329). PCI and CABG patients did not differ in hemodynamic and exercise tolerance parameters, except sBP in rest and dBP at peak workload in exercise testing (p=0.014 and p=0.031). Regardless on type of intervention, there was observed statistically significant increase in Wpeak (p=0,0000 in both groups) and DPpeak (p=0.0000 in PCI-patients and p=0.0003 in CABGpatients) after CR. CONCLUSIONS: CR has various effects on lipid concentrations. Indicators of conventional lipid profile and selected apolipoproteins are not optimal parameters allowing assessment of effectiveness of CR program in such a short time, this role is well fullfilled by the hemodynamic and physical exercise indices. Apo B/apo A-I ratio value suggests an increasing risk of IHD complications, especially in post- PCI group. CR program requires intensification of lipid-reducing therapy and education on lifestyle modification.

An In Vitro Study on the Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oil Modified Resin Composite against Oral Pathogens.

Modifying the composition of dental restorative materials with antimicrobial agents might induce their antibacterial potential against cariogenic bacteria, e.g., S. mutans and L. acidophilus, as well as antifungal effect on C. albicans that are major oral pathogens. Essential oils (EOs) are widely known for antimicrobial activity and are successfully used in dental industry. The study aimed at evaluating antibacterial and antifungal activity of EOs and composite resin material (CR) modified with EO against oral pathogens. Ten EOs (i.e., anise, cinnamon, citronella, clove, geranium, lavender, limette, mint, rosemary thyme) were tested using agar diffusion method. Cinnamon and thyme EOs showed significantly highest antibacterial activity against S. mutans and L. acidophilus among all tested EOs. Anise and limette EOs showed no antibacterial activity against S. mutans. All tested EOs exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans, whereas cinnamon EO showed significantly highest and limette EO significantly lowest activity. Next, 1, 2 or 5 µL of cinnamon EO was introduced into 2 g of CR and microbiologically tested. The modified CR showed higher antimicrobial activity in comparison to unmodified one. CR containing 2 µL of EO showed the best antimicrobial properties against S. mutans and C. albicans, while CR modified with 1 µL of EO showed the best antimicrobial properties against L. acidophilus.

The seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in the blood of patients with musculoskeletal complaints and blood donors, Poland: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Bartonella spp. can cause a variety of diseases, such as lymphadenopathies, cat scratch disease, and trench fever, but can also give rise to many non-specific symptoms. No data exists regarding the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in patients with musculoskeletal complaints, nor among blood donors in Poland. METHODS: The presence of anti-Bartonella IgM and IgG in the serum of blood donors (n = 65) (Lodz, Poland) and in the patients of the Department of Rheumatology Clinic (n = 40) suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms was tested by immunofluorescence. Blood samples were cultured on enriched media. Epidemiological questionnaires were used to identify key potential risk factors, such as sex, age, contact with companion animals, and bites from insects or animals. RESULTS: Altogether, 27 of the 105 tested subjects were seropositive for Bartonella henselae IgG (23%) and three for Bartonella quintana IgG (2.85%); IgMs against B. henselae were found in three individuals (2.85%), and IgMs against B. quintana were found in one (1.54%). No statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence of B. henselae in the blood of donors or patients and the presence of unexplained musculoskeletal complaints (23% vs 30%). Individuals who had kept or been scratched by cats were not more likely to be B. henselae seropositive (p > 0.01). Tick bites were more commonly reported in patients, but insignificantly (p > 0.01). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a high seroprevalence of anti-Bartonella IgG in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms and in blood donors in Poland. The obtained results indicate that such seroprevalence may have a possible significance in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms, although it should be confirmed on a larger group of patients. Asymptomatic bacteremia might occur and pose a threat to recipients of blood from infected donors. Hence, there is a need for more detailed research, including molecular biology methods, to clarify the potential risk of Bartonella spp. being spread to immunocompromised individuals. KEY POINTS: • This is the first study presenting high seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in Poland. • IgG and IgM antibodies against B. quintana were found in blood samples of blood donors.

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Antibacterial Effects of Universal Dentin Bonding Agents on Streptococcus mutans.

There is no consensus on the antibacterial activity of dentin bonding systems (DBS). Many study models have been used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of dental materials. In this study, a novel detection method, flow cytometry, was introduced. It allows for evaluation of the antibacterial activity of DBS, based on assessment of the disruption of the bacterial physical membrane induced by DBS. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of selected dentin bonding systems against Streptococcus mutans. The highest antibacterial activity against S. mutans was observed for Adhese Universal (99.68% dead cells) and was comparable to that of Prime&Bond Universal, OptiBond Universal, or Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (p > 0.05). The lowest activity of all tested systems was displayed by the multi-mode adhesive, Universal Bond (12.68% dead bacteria cells), followed by the self-etch adhesive, OptiBond FL (15.58% dead bacteria cells). The present study showed that in the case of two-component DBS, the primer exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than the adhesive (or bond) itself.

Impact of low-level laser therapy on the dynamics of pressure ulcer-induced changes considering an infectious agent and cathelicidin LL-37 concentration: a preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Low-level laser therapy is used in managing chronic wounds including pressure ulcers. Less is known about its impact on the healing process if an inhibitive agent e.g. bacterial infection takes place. Modulating non-specific immunity processes might eliminate bacteria if laser therapy is applied. AIM: To investigate the impact of low-level laser therapy on pressure ulcer dynamics considering an infectious agent and cathelicidin LL-37 concentration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 6 patients with pressure ulcers ranging from stage II to III in Torrance classification and 12 patients without pressure ulcers. Venous blood sample and decubitus wound swab were taken - in study groups A at baseline and after 2 weeks; in control group B once - at a specific point of time. The swabs served for species identification. Drug susceptibility of isolated pathogens and cathelicidin LL-37 in serum concentration were measured. RESULTS: In study group A, the following bacteria predominantly occurred: S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa, while in control group B, excluding one MRSA case, S. hominis, S. epidermidis, D. nishinomiyaensis, A. haemolyticus (physiological flora) were present. HLGR resistance mechanisms were detected when analyzing drug susceptibility panels. Study group A findings demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the levels of cathelicidin LL-37 concentration at baseline and at the end. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient information to accurately determine the effect of LLLT on pressure ulcer dynamics considering an infectious agent. These effects may occur if innate immunity processes are modulated so that laser therapy might eliminate bacteria indirectly.

Antibacterial Activity of Commercial Dentine Bonding Systems against E. faecalis-Flow Cytometry Study.

Literature presents inconsistent results on the antibacterial activity of dentine bonding systems (DBS). Antibacterial activity of adhesive systems depends on several factors, including composition and acidity. Flow cytometry is a novel detection method to measure multiple characteristics of a single cell: total cell number, structural (size, shape), and functional parameters (viability, cell cycle). The LIVE/DEAD® BacLightTM bacterial viability assay was used to evaluate an antibacterial activity of DBS by assessing physical membrane disruption of bacteria mediated by DBS. Ten commercial DBSs: four total-etching (TE), four self-etching (SE) and two selective enamel etching (SEE) were tested. Both total-etching DBS ExciTE F and OptiBond Solo Plus showed comparatively low antibacterial activity against E. faecalis. The lowest activity of all tested TE systems showed Te-Econom Bond. Among SE DBS, G-ænial Bond (92.24% dead cells) followed by Clearfil S3 Bond Plus (88.02%) and Panavia F 2.0 ED Primer II (86.67%) showed the highest antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, which was comparable to isopropranol (positive control). In the present study, self-etching DBS exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than tested total-etching adhesives against E. faecalis.

Antibacterial Properties of Calcium Fluoride-Based Composite Materials: In Vitro Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate antibacterial activity of composite materials modified with calcium fluoride against cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and L. acidophilus. One commercially available conventional light-curing composite material containing fluoride ions (F2) and two commercially available flowable light-curing composite materials (Flow Art and X-Flow) modified with 1.5, 2.5, and 5.0 wt% anhydrous calcium fluoride addition were used in the study. Composite material samples were incubated in 0.95% NaCl at 35°C for 3 days; then dilution series of S. mutans and L. acidophilus strains were made from the eluates. Bacteria dilutions were cultivated on media afterwards. Colony-forming unit per 1 mL of solution (CFU/mL) was calculated. Composite materials modified with calcium fluoride highly reduced (p < 0.001) bacteria growth compared to commercially available composite materials containing fluoride compounds. The greatest reduction in bacteria growth was observed for composite materials modified with 1.5% wt. CaF2. All three tested composite materials showed statistically greater antibacterial activity against L. acidophilus than against S. mutans.

The influence of infectious factors on dendritic cell apoptosis.

Pathogens can have a negative influence on dendritic cells (DCs), causing their apoptosis, which prevents active presentation of foreign antigens. It results in a state of immunosuppression which makes the body susceptible to secondary infections. Infected immature DCs have lower expression of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules, reduced ability to secrete cytokines and an inhibited maturation process and are incapable of effective antigen presentation and activation of T-lymphocytes. In some cases, the ability of DCs to undergo rapid apoptosis is important for the body defense, which is probably because of DCs' ability to cross-present and cooperate with other cells. Apoptotic bodies released from the infected DCs are phagocytosed by other DCs, which then stimulate the effector cells and present antigens more efficiently than infected cells. The aim of this article is to review how the DCs respond to viral and bacterial factors and which biochemical mechanisms are responsible for their apoptosis.

IgE-mediated 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) generation by peripheral blood leukocytes: its association with basophil activation.

INTRODUCTION: Allergen-induced basophil activation has been associated with the release of several mediators and with an increased expression of CD203c molecules on basophils. AIM: To assess the influence of specific allergens on the generation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (15-HETE) from peripheral blood leukocytes in relation to basophil activation, on the basis of CD203c molecule expression and histamine release. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 15 patients with clinical symptoms of birch pollen allergy confirmed by a positive skin prick test with the birch allergen, and 6 healthy controls. Leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with 3 concentrations of the birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1), anti-IgE or with ionophore A23187. RESULTS: In vitro challenge of leukocytes from allergic patients with 1 ng/ml of allergen induced a significant increase in 15-HETE generation. An increase above 30% was observed in almost half the allergic patients, with mean values ranging from 40% to 46%, but not in healthy controls. Anti-IgE antibodies increased 15-HETE generation in 5 patients (termed IgE+), and the allergen induced a significant increase in 15-HETE in all patients who reacted to anti-IgE. The mean CD203c expression on basophils of the allergic patients increased after allergen challenge, but a significant increase (> 30%) was observed only in patients who demonstrated an increased expression after anti-IgE exposure. A significant correlation was seen between 15-HETE generation and histamine release induced by the highest concentration of the allergen (r = 0.95; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Allergen-induced, IgE-mediated activation of basophils is associated with a significant increase in 15-HETE generation.

Utility of serum IgG, IgG4 and carbonic anhydrase II antibodies in distinguishing autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

PURPOSE: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) can mimic pancreatic cancer in its clinical presentation, imaging features and laboratory parameters. The aim of our study was to compare IgG, IgG4 and anti-CAIIAb serum levels in patients with AIP, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) and to assess their clinical significance and utility in differential diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. PATIENT/METHODS: The study included 124 patients: 45 with PA, 24 with AIP and 55 with CP. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from all analyzed patients at the time of hospital admission and total IgG, IgG4 and anti-CAIIAB serum levels were measured using ELISA tests. RESULTS: Serum levels of IgG, IgG4 and anti-CAIIAb were significantly higher in patients with AIP compared to PA and CP patients (p<0.001). In AIP patients the median IgG levels were 19.7 g/l, IgG4 levels - 301.9 mg/dl and anti-CAIIAb - 81.82 ng/ml, compared to 10.61 g/l, 123.2mg/dl and 28.6 ng/ml, respectively, in PA patients. IgG4 for the cut-off 210 mg/dl showed the best sensitivity and specificity (83.8% and 89.5%) in AIP diagnosis compared to IgG (69.3% and 87.3%, respectively) and anti-CAIIAb (45.3% and 74.3%). However, 16 (35.5%) patients with PA and 14 (25.4%) patients with CP had IgG4 levels greater than 140 mg/dl. Moreover, in 3 (6.67%) patients with pancreatic cancer those values were greater than 280 mg/dl. No patients with CP had IgG4 more than 280 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: IgG4 at cut-off 210 mg/dl showed the best sensitivity and specificity in AIP diagnosis compared to IgG and anti-CAIIAb, however elevations of serum IgG4 may be seen in subjects without AIP, including pancreatic cancer.

Glucocorticoid-induced immunoglobulin E synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic and nonallergic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids (GCS) have been shown to induce IgE synthesis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and purified B cells in vitro. However, the differences in immunoglobulin E (IgE) response to GCS between allergic and non-allergic individuals and the mechanism this interaction have not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effect of GCS (budesonide) on interleukin (IL)-4-driven IgE production in vitro in allergic and non allergic subjects and assess the engagement of intracellular mechanisms. METHODS: The study included 22 patients with allergic asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 24 healthy volunteers. PBMCs were cultured for 11 days with IL-4 and budesonide and IgE concentrations in supernatants were assessed by immunoassays. T and B cell markers were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Budesonide enhanced IgE synthesis to higher extent in healthy donors than in allergic patients (mean increase of 16.5 vs 6.3 kU/L, P< .05 respectively) acting through glucocorticoid receptor. Budesonide significantly increased lymhoplasmocytoid cells percentage in both media-controlled (2.5-fold increase) and IL-4-stimulated PBMCs (2-fold increase). Added to IL-4 budesonide decreased the percentage of both T cells and CD40L(+) T cells, but strongly increased the percentage of B cells. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor decreased, but NF-κB and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors expressed modulatory effects on budesonide-induced IgE synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide-induced IgE generation in PBMCs differs in magnitude and seems to involve different mechanisms in atopic and non-atopic subjects.

Recruitment of CD34+ progenitor cells into peripheral blood and asthma severity.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that the number of progenitor cells is elevated in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients and that the number of progenitors correlate with the severity of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the number of leukocyte progenitor and eosinophil progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with bronchial asthma in relation to disease severity. METHODS: The study involved 51 patients with asthma (25 patients with a mild form and 26 with a severe form of the disease) and a group of 12 healthy controls. Using the flow cytometric method, leukocyte (CD34+ leukocytes) and eosinophil progenitors (CD34+CD125+) were detected in the peripheral blood of both asthmatic patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: Patients with asthma had significantly more leukocyte progenitor cells (median, 0.06% vs 0.016%) and eosinophil progenitor cells (median, 0.046% vs 0.004%) compared with the controls. Patients with severe asthma had more leukocyte progenitor cells (0.12% vs 0.035%) and more eosinophil progenitor cells (0.102% vs 0.019%) than patients with mild asthma. The number of circulating leukocyte and eosinophil progenitor cells inversely correlated with the forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage of predicted value (r = -0.4 and r = -0.35, respectively) and positively correlated (r = 0.63 and r = 0.65, respectively) with the dose of inhaled steroids used to control asthma. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the presence of leukocyte precursors and eosinophil progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients may reflect ongoing airway inflammation.

A single weekly dose of imatinib is sufficient to induce and maintain remission of chronic eosinophilic leukaemia in FIP1L1-PDGFRA-expressing patients.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is defined as chronic, unexplained hypereosinophilia with organ involvement. A subset of HES patients presents an interstitial deletion in chromosome 4q12, which leads to the expression of an imatinib-responsive fusion gene, FIP1L1-PDGFRA. These patients are diagnosed as chronic eosinophilic leukaemia (CEL). We treated seven CEL and HES patients, six of which expressed FIP1L1-PDGFRA, with imatinib using initial daily doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg. In a remission maintenance phase, the patients were treated with imatinib once weekly. All imatinib-treated patients achieved a complete haematological remission (CHR), and five of the six patients with FIP1L1-PDGFRA expression exhibited molecular remission. The decreased imatinib doses were as follows: 200 mg/week in three patients, 100 mg/week in two patients and 100 mg/d in the remaining two patients. For remission maintenance, imatinib doses were set at 100 mg/week in five patients and 200 mg/week in two patients. At a median follow-up of 30 months all patients remained in CHR and FIP1L1-PDGFRA expression was undetectable in five of the six FIP1L1-PDGFRA-expressing patients. These data suggest that a single weekly dose of imatinib is sufficient to maintain remission in FIP1L1-PDGFRA- positive CEL patients.

Systemic responses after bronchial aspirin challenge in sensitive patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: In aspirin-sensitive patients with asthma, bronchial obstruction induced by oral aspirin may be associated with extrabronchial symptoms, suggesting the systemic character of the response. OBJECTIVE: Go assess potential systemic effects of local aspirin challenge, hemopoietic progenitors were measured in the peripheral blood of challenged patients. METHODS: In 19 patients with a history of aspirin-induced asthma, placebo-controlled bronchial challenges with lysine-aspirin were performed. Peripheral blood was collected before and then 1 hour and 20 hours after challenge (placebo or aspirin). Using the flow-cytometric method, the numbers of leukocyte (CD34+ cells) and eosinophil (CD34+CD125+ cells) progenitors were determined. RESULTS: The challenge was positive in 13 patients; 6 patients had isolated local bronchial reaction, and 7 patients developed systemic symptoms (bronchial and extrabronchial). In patients with positive challenge (n = 13), leukocyte progenitors increased significantly at 1 hour and 20 hours after challenge (mean, 0.04% at baseline, 0.066% at 1 hour after challenge, and 0.073% at 20 hours; P < .05). Eosinophil progenitors raised significantly from mean 0.017% before challenge to 0.04% (P < .05) at 20 hours after the challenge. At 20 hours after the challenge, the increase in leukocyte and eosinophil progenitors was observed only in patients with systemic reactions. Positive aspirin challenge was associated with a significant increase in eotaxin 2 serum concentration. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that bronchial challenge with aspirin may involve systemic reactions and is associated with mobilization of leukocyte and eosinophil progenitor cells from the bone marrow.

RANTES and chemotactic activity in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

A massive accumulation of inflammatory cells in synovial tissues is a major pathological feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Neutrophiles dominate synovial fluid while rheumatoid synovium is infiltrated with mononuclear cells. Mechanisms regulating influx of particular subpopulations of leukocytes into articular cavity and synovium compartment are not completely defined. An increasing amount of data supports a crucial role of a C-C chemokine RANTES in the RA pathogenesis. Our objective is to evaluate chemotactic activity for neutrophils (NCA), lymphocytes (LCA), and monocytes (MoCA) in SFs obtained from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). We also aimed to characterise the relation between chemotactic activity, RANTES, and percentage distribution of leukocytes in SF. SFs from 11 patients with RA and 6 with OA were included in the study. Modified microchamber Boyden method was employed to assess chemotactic activity. Cytological and biochemical analysis of SF was performed. RANTES was measured with ELISA. Rheumatoid SFs were rich in cells with predominance of neutrophiles while osteoarthritic fluids were lymphocytic. RA SFs were also characterised by increased lactoferrin level. Both NCA and LCA were higher in SF from patients with RA (62 +/- 12 and 24 +/- 6 cells/HPF, resp) as compared to patients with OA (23 +/- 6; P < .05 and 6 +/- 2 cells/HPF; P < 0.05). The chemoattractive effect of RA SF was more pronounced on neutrophiles than on lymphocytes. RA SF expressed high RANTES levels (145+/- 36 pg/mL), while OA SF was characterised by only trace amount of this chemokine (2 +/- 1 pg/mL). We found positive correlation of RANTES with chemotactic activity for mononuclear cells (LCA + MoCA; R = 0.61; P < .05). Surprisingly, RANTES correlated also positively with neutrophiles number (R = 0.77; P < 0.001). Rheumatoid SF possesses strong chemotactic potency for leukocytes. RANTES is overexpressed in RA SF and is a potential mediator influencing intensity and composition of cellular infiltration in joints affected with inflammatory arthritis.