BACKGROUND: Intestinal permeability and altered inflammatory responses, along with genetic and environmental factors, likely contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the presence and prevalence of subclinical intestinal inflammation among apparently healthy, first-degree relatives of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease, using non-invasive fecal markers. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 13 patients with Crohn's disease, 36 siblings and 41 parents. S100A12 levels were measured using an in-house ELISA assay and calprotectin levels were determined using the PhiCal test, with levels compared to normal healthy population controls. RESULTS: Fecal S100A12 levels in siblings (median, 14 mg/kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9-32 mg/kg) and patients (71 mg/kg; CI 4-286 mg/kg) differed significantly from pediatric controls (1 mg/kg; CI 1-5 mg/kg; p < 0.001). In contrast, fecal calprotectin levels in siblings (22 mg/kg; CI 15-31 mg/kg) were lower than that of pediatric controls (31 mg/kg; CI 19-52 mg/kg; p = 0.03). Fecal markers were not elevated in parents compared to adult controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence of subclinical intestinal inflammation amongst first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. The presence of sub-clinical gut inflammation may be a risk factor for the subsequent development of Crohn's disease.
BACKGROUND: Intestinal permeability and altered inflammatory responses, along with genetic and environmental factors, likely contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the presence and prevalence of subclinical intestinal inflammation among apparently healthy, first-degree relatives of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease, using non-invasive fecal markers. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 13 patients with Crohn's disease, 36 siblings and 41 parents. S100A12 levels were measured using an in-house ELISA assay and calprotectin levels were determined using the PhiCal test, with levels compared to normal healthy population controls. RESULTS: Fecal S100A12 levels in siblings (median, 14 mg/kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9-32 mg/kg) and patients (71 mg/kg; CI 4-286 mg/kg) differed significantly from pediatric controls (1 mg/kg; CI 1-5 mg/kg; p < 0.001). In contrast, fecal calprotectin levels in siblings (22 mg/kg; CI 15-31 mg/kg) were lower than that of pediatric controls (31 mg/kg; CI 19-52 mg/kg; p = 0.03). Fecal markers were not elevated in parents compared to adult controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence of subclinical intestinal inflammation amongst first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. The presence of sub-clinical gut inflammation may be a risk factor for the subsequent development of Crohn's disease.
Authors: M A Hofmann; S Drury; C Fu; W Qu; A Taguchi; Y Lu; C Avila; N Kambham; A Bierhaus; P Nawroth; M F Neurath; T Slattery; D Beach; J McClary; M Nagashima; J Morser; D Stern; A M Schmidt Journal: Cell Date: 1999-06-25 Impact factor: 41.582
Authors: Mark S Silverberg; Jack Satsangi; Tariq Ahmad; Ian D R Arnott; Charles N Bernstein; Steven R Brant; Renzo Caprilli; Jean-Frédéric Colombel; Christoph Gasche; Karel Geboes; Derek P Jewell; Amir Karban; Edward V Loftus; A Salvador Peña; Robert H Riddell; David B Sachar; Stefan Schreiber; A Hillary Steinhart; Stephan R Targan; Severine Vermeire; B F Warren Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 3.522
Authors: M Peeters; B Geypens; D Claus; H Nevens; Y Ghoos; G Verbeke; F Baert; S Vermeire; R Vlietinck; P Rutgeerts Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 1997-09 Impact factor: 22.682