[Current views on the pathogenesis and therapy of ankylosing spondylitis]

Ankylosing spondylitis is a frequent and disabling inflammatory chronic disease, that affects mainly young men. In this paper the authors reviewed the pathogenetic mechanism and pharmacological and physical treatment. Nowadays the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis is considered similar to that of reactive arthritis. The management of each patient should take into account the different aspects of the disease; therefore it should be individually designed

Utility and safety of parotid gland biopsy in Sjogren's syndrome

Parotid gland biopsy was performed in 32 female patients affected by suspected Sjogren's syndrome. In all cases histologic findings were in agreement with this diagnosis and in two subjects led us to detect the malignant transformation into lymphoma. None of the patients developed relevant complications. Our study indicates that parotid gland biopsy in Sjogren's syndrome is a safe procedure and may be useful in performing diagnosis

Procollagen III peptide and fibronectin in alcohol-related chronic liver disease: correlations with morphological features and biochemical tests

In order to clarify the significance of procollagen III peptide (PIIIP) and fibronectin (FN) blood concentration in alcohol related chronic liver disease (ALD), we have investigated their relationships with histological liver features and biochemical liver tests in 44 ALD patients. PIIIP was measured in serum by radioimmunoassay whereas FN was determined in plasma using an immunonephelometric method. In each liver biopsy, steatosis, portal infiltrate, lobular necro-inflammation, portal fibrosis and lobular fibrosis were semiquantitatively assessed by scoring from 0 to 3. A close correlation of PIIIP was found with morphological features of fibrosis (both of lobular and portal type), but not with necro-inflammation or steatosis. PIIIP was also positively correlated with ALP and GGT and exhibited a good diagnostic value in liver fibrosis. On the contrary, FN did not distinguish between normals and patients and was not correlated with any morphological liver feature or biochemical liver test. We also conclude that serum NP3P effectively reflects liver fibrosis, whereas plasma FN seems not related to any of the main histological aspects of liver damage in ALD