title: Serum interleukin-6, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in subjects with active Behçet's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines, including serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been proposed as disease activity markers in Behçet's disease (BD), although studies have shown conflicting results for IL-6. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in active BD have not yet been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability of serum IL-6 and PCT levels as well as CRP as biological markers for activity of BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum PCT, IL-6 and CRP protein levels were measured in patients with active BD (n = 15) and in healthy control subjects (n = 15). IL-6 and PCT levels were measured in serum by chemiluminescent assay. In addition, a nephelometric method was used to analyse CRP concentrations in serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum CRP and IL-6 values were significantly higher in the subjects with active disease than in the healthy controls (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the levels of PCT in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that serum CRP and IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with active BD, but that serum PCT values are not elevated in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Fatih University Medical Faculty, 06700 Gankaya, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calikoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide