Background The TNF superfamily member B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), referred to as BAFF, is known to be an effective modulator of peripheral B cell homeostasis that promotes B cell survival and differentiation. BLyS is expressed by a few stromal cells, T cells, and most myeloid cell. BLyS transgenic mice show an expansion of the peripheral mature B cell compartment, hyperglobulinemia, anti-single-stranded DNA and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, and circulating immune complexes. A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a homolog to BLyS that is expressed by monocytes, macrophages, DCs, T cells, and others. APRIL is virtually undetectable in normal tissues but is strongly expressed in adenocarcinomas and can accelerate the growth of malignant cells in vitro and in vivo. APRIL/BLyS heterotrimers are present in the serum of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE, and SS. APRIL over expression promotes a strong survival signal for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vivo. T cell dependent humoral responses revealed an increase in serum IgM, while serum IgG levels remained unaffected. T cell independent type II humoral responses were also enhanced, manifested by elevated IgM and IgG serum levels. These two related members of the tumor necrosis factor family, BAFF and APRIL, are already known for their crucial role in normal B-cell survival, differentiation and apoptosis. Objectives is to investigate the relation between levels of BAFF and APRIL in serum of patients with RA and their correlation to clinical disease and some laboratory parameters Methods 60 patients divided into 2 groups. Group 1, 40 patients having RA and fulfilling the (ACR) criteria for diagnosis of the disease. Group 2, 20 healthy age and sex matched individuals as controls for the serum level of BAFF and APRIL. Patients positive for hepatitis C and/or B virus infection were excluded. Patients were subjected to clinical assessment of disease activity by DAS 28 score. Health assessment questionnaire for disability index (HAQ-DI) and x- ray of both hands and feet. Routine laboratory investigations, rheumtoid factor titre by Rose Waaler technique, Anti- cyclic citrullinated peptide Abs titre. Detection of serum and synovial fluid levels of BAFFand APRIL by ELISA Results: VariableAPRIL SynovialBAFF synovial RPrP SJC0.1690.296-.2010.102 TJC-0.0820.615-.1910.103 CRP0.387*0.0140.486*0.012 ESR/1 hr0.378*0.0150.785*0.048 RF0.2560.111-0.0430.792 ANTICCP0.444**0.004-0.2180.177 Serum BAFF-0.1590.2870.990**0.0001 Serum APRIL0.1670.304-0.1690.297 DAS280.487*0.024.405**0.01 HAQ10.0980.553-0.3090.055 Conclusions the elevation of BAFF and APRIL in RA patients supports that B cell activation has a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. BAFF and APRIL correlates with inflammatory, autoantibody markers and activity markers which confirm that targeting these cells might be a useful strategy in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major contributing cause for the increased rate of childhood mortalities and morbidities in the developing countries. Thus, we aimed in this study to appraise the significance of acute phase reactant proteins in correlation with the modified pneumonia prognostic score to assess the disease severity and outcome in children.This study included 40 children with pneumonia ( age between 6 months 2 years ) and other 40 healthy controls ( age and sex matched). They were enrolled in the study and a detailedhistory’s obtained, full clinical examination and assessment of AGP, CRP and ferritin in serum in addition to CBC.AGP, CRP and ferritin showed significant higher levels in children with pneumonia than healthy controls. Also, their values were significantly higher in nonsuvivors than survivors.The present investigation provides a distinct evidence for the prominence of acute phase reactants (ferritin, CRP and AGP) in comparison with the clinical scores in predicting early high risk prognosis of pneumonia in children.

Goal of the work: foal of our work is study of prevalence of food allergies and risk factors in children's population in selected populations of Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi-Tskaltubo Materials and methods Studied population includes 2655 children (2010-2013) from 1-month to 14-year age. 1359 of them were girls and 1296boys (I group: children from 1 month to 6 years and II groupfrom 6 years to 14 years). At the first 3

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Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disease with no cure, currently affects almost one-fifth of the population of industrialized nations. Treatment can be challenging for physicians and patients, making it even more difficult to find safe therapeutic options, especially in severe disease. Interest in diet and nutrition has increased during the last few years. Nutritional interventions are both intriguing and accessible for many patients. AD has two phases, acute and chronic. No therapeutic attempts has yet been tried to target these phases rather than treatment according to severity grade. Studies point to interleukin (IL)-18 as key player in the pathogenesis of AD and the switch between its two phases. T helper (Th) cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18), interferon-? (IFN-?), tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?), immunoglobulin E (Ig E), and vitamins E and C in children and adolescents with acute and chronic AD. Sixty AD patients were classified into two groups; children (acute) and adolescents (chronic) AD, with thirty in each. In addition, two corresponding healthy normal control groups of thirty each were evaluated. Serum IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-? and serum IgE were estimated by ELISA. IL-12, IL-18 and IFN-? levels were 2?C-4 folds higher in chronic AD as compared to normal controls. IL-18 and TNF-? levels were significantly higher in chronic than acute AD patients. Vitamins C and E, on the other hand, were significant decreased in chronic versus acute AD patients. Conclusion: ILs, IFN-?, TNF-? and serum IgE may play a role in AD. In addition, measurement of IL-18 may be a valuable tool for assessment of age related disease severity. Also, vitamins C and E appear to be reduced in acute and chronic AD patients.