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Background: Among children and adolescents, the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often missed or delayed because of the nonspecific nature of the clinical symptoms. In such instances noninvasive and accurate diagnostic tests that would accurately distinguish IBD from functional disorders would be most valuable to clinicians. Several serological markers have been used as non-invasive diagnostic tools in IBD pediatric patients. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA), anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), anti-exocrine pancreatic antibodies (PAB) and anti-goblet cells antibodies (GAB) alone and in combination in children and adolescents with IBD.Patients and methods: Serum specimens were analyzed for p-ANCA, ASCA IgG, ASCA IgA, PAB and GAB antibodies in 49 children and adolescents with confirmed IBD and 53 non-IBD controls. P-ANCA, PAB and GAB antibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescent test and ASCA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) had genotyping performed using a sequence specific PCR directed against the wild type and the three principal mutations of NOD2/CARD15 gene. Disease location, body mass index (BMI) and disease activity by pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index (PCDAI) at the time of diagnosis were determined in CD patients.Results: The prevalence of p-ANCA in patients with UC and ASCA in CD patients was high (82.3 % and 67.9 %, respectively). Positivity for PAB antibodies in CD and GAB in UC was lower (35.7 % and 23.5 %, respectively). Accuracy data (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, respectively) for differentiating IBD from non-IBD controls were as follows: p-ANCA: 82 %, 100 %, 100 %, 94 %; ASCA IgG: 68 %, 94 %, 86 %, 84 %; ASCA IgA: 54 %, 100 %, 100 %, 80 %; PAB: 36 %, 98 %, 91 %, 74 %; GAB: 23 %, 100 %, 100 %, 80 %. In distinguishing CD from UC we found out the following accuracy data (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, respectively): p-ANCA: 82 %, 82 %, 74 %, 88 %; ASCA IgG: 68 %, 100 %, 100 %, 65 %; ASCA IgA: 54 %, 100 %, 100 %, 57 %; PAB: 36 %, 100 %, 100 %, 49 %; GAB: 23 %, 100 %, 100 %, 68 %. There were no significant association between ASCA positivity and the three major mutations of NOD2/CARD15 gene, disesase location and family history in CD patients, however an association between BMI and disease activity at the time of diagnosis was found out.Conclusions: Specificity and positive predictive value of serological markers p-ANCA, ASCA IgG, ASCA IgA, PAB and GAB for IBD alone and in combination are high and which make them useful in diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in day-to-day clinical practice, particulary in making decision about performing invasive diagnostic procedures. Because of low sensitivity they are less useful as screening tests for inflammatory bowel disease in pediatric population.

Background: Celiac disease, also known as genetic gluten intolerance is a chronic disease that affects genetically predisposed individuals after the gluten ingestion. It affects about 1 % of population regardless of the age, and can manifest with diverse clinical picture. Diagnosis of celiac disease is based on criteria adopted and later revised by European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). These criteria consider intestinal biopsy as a gold standard. The number of biopsies has decreased after the introduction of serological tests, which are considered in revised criteria. Genetic tests have also proven to be very valuable in diagnostic procedure, especially HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 determination. Bedside or point-of-care tests, which enable quick determination of anti tissue transglutaminase antibodies in capillary blood, are a promising new tool. Many reports have shown that adverse immunological response to gluten in genetically predisposed individuals is systemic, which can lead to a decreased importance of intestinal biopsy in future.Conclusions: Diagnosis of celiac disease is based on specific serological markes and reversible mucosal changes of small intestine. Lately developed genetic tests and new quick serological tests are also used. Intensive research focused on pathogenesis and manifestations of celiac disease will show whether definite diagnosis could be confirmed without the use of intestinal biopsy in future.

Background. The natural course of ulcerative colitis (UC) can be complicated with an acute severe attack of high degree of activity of inflammation which represents a life-threatening condition. High-dose intravenous steroids have been the treatment of choice for induction of clinical remission of acute severe attack. In corticosteroid refractory ulcerative colitis a surgical therapy is required.Patients and methods. A case of a ten year-old girl with severe steroid-refractory UC is presented. The treatment with infliximab was introduced with intention to avoid colectomy. After the first infusion of infliximab her condition improved and clinical remission was achieved which was maintained with azathioprine.Conclusions. Therapy with infliximab can be successful for a severe steroid-refractory UC. The patients treated with infliximab can avoid surgical therapy (colectomy) which can represent a life-long disablement. The achieved remission is best maintained with conventional immunosuppressive therapy (azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurin).