Canakinumab in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Clinical Inactive Disease Rate and Safety in Italian Patients

Introduction: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) accounts for 10-20% of all patients with JIA. The demonstration of a key role of IL-1 and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of the disease, led to consider sJIA an autoinflammatory disease: this explain the successfully use of IL-1 and IL-6 inhibitors. While the efficacy and safety of anakinra in sJIA is widely documented, there are no reports on large series of patients treated with canakinumab outside of the setting of clinical trials. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical response rate and disease course of canakinumab in Italian cohort of patients with sJIA. Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter study. Demogr…

Increased percentages of tumor necrosis factor-alpha+/interferon-gamma+ T lymphocytes and calprotectin+/tumor necrosis factor-alpha+ monocytes in patients with acute Kawasaki disease.

Pediatric Systemic Multi-Inflammatory Diseases in Italy During Sars-Cov-2 Epidemic: From Kawasaki Disease To Kawacovid

Introduction: Italy was affected by the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic after its outbreak in China. With a 4-weeks delay after the peak in adults, we observed an abnormal number of patients with characteristics of a multi-inflammatory disease and similarities with Kawasaki Disease (KD). Others reported similar cases, defined PIMS-TS or MIS-C.1,2 Objectives: To better characterize clinical features and treatment response of PIMS-TS and to explore its relationship with KD. Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective, multicenter study. On April 24th-2020 the Rheumatology Study Group of the Italian Pediatric Society launched a national online survey, to enroll patients diagnosed with KD or with…