Cytokine abnormalities in a patient with eosinophilic fasciitis.
BACKGROUND
Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and peripheral eosinophilia are rare in children.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of EF in a 3-year-old child who presented with acute painless induration of her forearm.


METHODS
Cytokine profiles were obtained and compared with patients with atopic disease during the acute presentation and after treatment with low-dose prednisone.


RESULTS
The patient's serum showed elevation of transforming growth factor beta1 and interleukin-5, which improved after treatment with low-dose prednisone.


CONCLUSIONS
The case suggests that patients with EF have cytokine abnormalities similar to atopic patients, but with a striking elevation of transforming growth factor beta1. The responsiveness of the clinical symptoms and cytokine profile to low dose prednisone supports treatment with low dose immunosuppressive therapy in this disorder.
The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Department of Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Laura
L
Dziadzio
Elizabeth A
EA
Kelly
Sarah E
SE
Panzer
Nizar
N
Jarjour
Anna
A
Huttenlocher
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004804:Eosinophils; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015848:Interleukin-5; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D011241:Prednisone