PLASMA AND SYNOVIAL-FLUID SOLUBLE CD23 CONCENTRATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE CHRONIC ARTHRITIS

Since increased levels of sCD23 were demonstrated in patients with aut oimmune diseases, plasma and synovial fluid sCD23 levels were examined in 22 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and in 10 childr en undergoing arthrocentesis for orthopedic disorders. There was no si gnificant difference in plasma sCD23 concentrations between patients w ith pauciarticular and polyarticular onset. Plasma and synovial fluid sCD23 concentrations were found to be significantly increased in JCA p atients as compared to controls. However, plasma sCD23 levels were not positively correlated with laboratory parameters showing disease acti vity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum IgG and IgA. It was concluded that increased production of sCD23 in p eripheral blood and synovial fluid might be important in the pathogene sis of JCA. However, determination of this immunological parameter pro vides no useful clinical information about disease activity and manage ment.