Introduction: Previous studies have examined biomarkers of coagulation, inflammation and immunity in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), but no recommended biomarkers for disease activity have been established yet. Aim: To find the relationship between certain laboratory parameters and disease activity in patients with CSU. Material and methods: Serum concentrations of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), C3, C4, and prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values were measured in 44 CSU patients and compared with 33 healthy controls. Correlation between biomarkers and urticaria activity score during 7 consecutive days (UAS7) was calculated. Results: Our study included 44 CSU patients (38 females and 6 males), mean age of 50.4 years and the average disease duration of 3.1 years. Based on UAS7, 23 (52.3%) CSU patients had mild urticaria, 8 (18.2%) well-controlled, 7 (15.9%) moderate and 6 (13.6%) severe urticaria. Fourteen (31.8%) patients had elevated CRP, 21 (47.7%) had elevated D-dimer and 14 (13.6%) CSU patients had elevated C4 levels. Patients with CSU had statistically significant elevated D-dimer, CRP and PT as compared with controls (p = 0.007, p = 0.005 and p = 0.029, respectively). There was no correlation between PT, aPTT, D-dimer, CRP, C3 and disease activity. Statistically significant differences in C4 levels between patients with severe and well-controlled, mild, moderate urticaria were determined (p = 0.003). Conclusions: CRP, D-dimer, and PT may be considered as biomarkers for distinguishing patients with CSU from controls. The C4 levels correlate with disease activity and may be useful as a potential biomarker of disease activity.

showed significantly higher complication rate (n = 20, 36.4% vs. n = 19, 27.1%, p = 0.007), especially intraabdominal fluid collection (n = 6, 10.9% vs. n = 1, 1.4%), and wound infection (n = 6, 10.9% vs. n = 2, 2.9%). AAF group showed lower incidence of postoperative ileus (n = 3, 5.5% vs. n = 11, 15.7%) with statistically marginal significance (p = 0.090). Conclusions: Well-designed randomized controlled trials of anti-adhesive product will be needed for evaluation of effect on postoperative ileus after major HPB surgery.

Cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 participate in the chronic inflammation process in the atopic airway diseases. Our study is aimed at determining correlation between IL-4 and IL-5 serum concentrations and severity of the disease in patients with bronchial asthma. The total of 65 patients with asthma is classified into three groups: 1. patients with mild, 2. moderate and 3. severe asthma. The control group comprised 10 healthy individuals. Measurement of IL-4 and IL-5 serum concentrations was performed according to ELISA method. Minimal detectable concentrations of IL-4 and IL-5 were 0.27 pg/mL and 4 pg/mL, respectively. IL-4 (Z = 2.245, p = 0.025) and IL-5 (Z = 2.139, p = 0.032) serum concentrations are significantly lower in healthy individuals in comparison to the individuals with asthma. Comparison of the study results between the groups (mild, moderate and severe asthma) evidenced that IL-4 serum concentrations in the group with moderate (Z = 2.604, p = 0.009) and severe asthma (Z= 2.658, p = 0.008) were statistically significantly higher in comparison to the group with mild asthma. IL-5 serum concentrations in the group with moderate (Z = 3.910, p = 0.000) and severe asthma (Z = 4.037, p = 0.000) were statistically significantly higher in comparison to the group with mild asthma. Further studies on the role of IL-4 and IL-5 in the process of chronic inflammation in asthma are needed.

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Mixed cryoglobulinemia is the most prevalent extrahepatic manifestation of chronic HCV infection. It is usually a benign lymphoproliferative disorder which presents as vasculitis affecting different organs. Although life-threatening cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) is rare, it is sometimes the first and possibly lethal complication. Its treatment depends on the severity of vasculitis and can be challenging. High dose of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and plasma exchange represent the first-line treatment, which should be followed by antiviral therapy. Rituximab is an effective and safe treatment option. However, the data about its use in life-threatening conditions are scarce. We report the case of a patient with severe, relapsing and life-threatening HCV-related CryoVas  resistant to standard therapy who had had an initial beneficial response to rituximab added to plasma exchange that was later compromised by the development of sepsis. We also review the literature and discuss manifestations and therapy of life-threatening Cryovas with focus on rituximab use.