A case report of a boy suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus and familial Mediterranean fever

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus could be associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, celiac disease, but the association with Familial Mediterranean Fever is rare, we describe a case of a boy with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Case presentation: A 13 year old boy already suffering from Diabetes Mellitus type 1 since the age of 4 years, came to our attention because of periodic fever associated with abdominal pain, chest pain and arthralgia. The fever appeared every 15-30 days with peaks that reached 40 °C and lasted 24-48 h. Laboratory investigation, were normal between febrile episodes, but during the attacks revealed an increase in inflammatory markers. Suspecting Familial Mediterranean Fever molecular analysis of MEFV gene, was performed. The genetic analysis showed homozygous E148Q mutation. So Familial Mediterranean Fever was diagnosed and colchicine treatment was started with good response. Conclusion: Familial Mediterranean Fever could be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polyarteritis Nodosa, Behcet disease, Systemic Lupus, Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Association of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Familial Mediterranean Fever has been newly reported in the medical literature, this is the third association of these two diseases described in the medical literature so far

Gastrointestinal Henoch-Schönlein purpura successfully treated with Mycophenolate Mofetil: Description of 2 case reports.

Rationale: Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is an acute small vessel vasculitis. It is the most common vasculitis in children. In majority of the cases, the disease is self-limited. Relapses can occur, in particular during the first year of the disease. There is no consensus on a specific treatment. The efficacy and safety of steroidal treatment in treating HSP is still controversial. Immunosuppressive treatment of HSP nephritis is used in patients with severe renal involvement (nephrotic range proteinuria and/or progressive renal impairment). The literature on immunosuppressive treatment of severe HSP without kidney involvement is scanty. Patients concerns: We report 2 case reports of 2 adolescents affected from Henoch–Schönlein Purpura and severe gastrointestinal involvement. Both patients presented a poor response to steroids treatment. Diagnoses: The diagnosis of HSP was made according to the diagnostic criteria published by European League against Rheumatism and Pediatric Rheumatology European Society in 2006 Interventions: In consideration of the recurrence of the Henoch Schönlein Purpura and the gastrointestinal involvement, we decided to start Mycophenolate Mofetil treatment. Outcomes: In both patients all clinical manifestations resolved in few days. Lessons: In our cases of HSP with gastrointestinal involvement Mycophenolate Mofetil treatment has been very effective. This experience teaches us that immunosuppressive agents may be very useful to induce and maintain remission not only in renal involvement, but in all cases of persistent, recurrent, or complicated Henoch Schönlein Purpura in children

PediaVirus chatline: all together against COVID-19

On occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Italy, during the outbreak period, 140 professionals, including paediatricians (the majority), general health practitioners, infectious diseases specialists, epidemiologists, neuropsychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists, pharmaceutical representatives, magistrates, predominantly Italian but also from other countries in Europe and beyond, created a chatline to share their own experiences.The results of such investigation have been reported in this report