Despite considerable achievements in the study of localized scleroderma, the etiology of the disease has not been investigated completely. Borrelia burgdorferi-the agent of Lyme disease-is suggested to be one of the possible etiological factors of localized scleroderma. However, among scientists, this hypothesis is quite controversial. We have conducted investigations of the level of IgM and IgG class antibodies to B. burgdorferi in the serum of patients with localized scleroderma. To rationally substantiate the role of B. burgdorferi in the occurrence of localized scleroderma, thirty-two patients with localized scleroderma treated at an in-patient department were examined. The level of anti-Borrelia antibodies was determined in ELISA. Diagnostic levels of IgM and/or IgG were detected in 18.8% of patients with localized scleroderma, which is more than in the population (p < 0.01). Positive levels of anti-Borrelia antibodies in patients with localized scleroderma confirm the borreliosis nature of the disease, requiring conduction of complex antimicrobial treatment.

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is perceived as a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of MS in children and adolescents rea­ches 6–39 % depending on the identification criteria. Despite the considerable attention paid to MS in children and adolescents, there is no unified agreed consensus on its early scree­ning. Consequently, the purpose of the study was along with the gene­rally accepted criteria evaluate additional markers for MS early screening in children and adolescents. Materials and methods. A cross sectional study was conducted with 155 children aged 9–18 years, which formed 2 groups: a group of children with MS — 90 children with MS on the background of abdominal obesity and a group of children without MS — 65 children with normal body weight. Clinical (antrometric data, blood pressure) and laboratory (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, lipids) parameters were assessed. MS verification was performed according to the recommendations of the IDF Сonsensus (2007). Results. For MS screening in addition to the generally accepted criteria accor­ding to IDF Consensus (2007): abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 90th percentile according to age and gender), fasting glucose > 5.6 mmol/l, triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/l, blood pressure > 130/85 mm Hg, the most probable additional markers were established: neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, body surface area > 90th percentile of distribution according to age and sex, fasting insulin > 15.0 mU/l, homeostasis model assessment for insulin ratio (HOMA-IR) > 2.8, total cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l, LDL-C > 3.25 mmol/l, VLDL-C > 0.78 mmol/l, blood pressure in terms of distribution > 95th percentile, which contributes to its early detection and correction. Conclusions. Expanding the list of MS additional markers for its early screening in the pediatric and adolescent population is relevant and provides a basis for its timely correction and prevention.