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IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by tumor-like swelling in one or more organs, elevated serum IgG4 levels, and histological alterations with infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells. IgG4-RD is rare and likely underdiagnosed in children. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl with IgG4-positive colitis that developed weeks after IgG4-related ophthalmic disease and discuss diagnosis and treatment in the context of the literature available. Since the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD is unknown, treatment options are empiric and, for the most part, untargeted. Systemic corticosteroid treatment is the basis of anti-inflammatory treatment in IgG4-RD and induced early remission in our patient. During corticosteroid taper, the patient developed weight loss and intestinal inflammation. Histopathological assessment of the intestinal walls confirmed IgG4-positive colitis. Immune-modulating treatment with non-biologic (e.g., methotrexate (MTX) and mycophenolate mofetil) or biologic (rituximab) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs has been reported in treatment refractory or corticosteroid-dependent patients. The patient responded to treatment with anti-inflammatory therapy with food rich in TGF-β2 (modulen) and MTX. This is one of the first pediatric patients reported with IgG4-related colitis extending the phenotype of pediatric IgG4-RD. International collaboration to prospectively document clinical presentation and treatment responses may help to further establish the phenotype and treatment options and to raise awareness for IgG4-RD.

ZusammenfassungAutoinflammatorische Erkrankungen sind durch systemische oder organbezogene Entzündung gekennzeichnet, welche zumindest initial von fehlregulierten Mechanismen des angeborenen Immunsystems ausgehen. Einige monogene autoinflammatorische Erkrankungen manifestieren in der Perinatalperiode, sodass sie Differenzialdiagnosen zu Infektionen des Neugeborenen darstellen. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden Einblicke in die klinische Präsentation und die molekulare Pathophysiologie Inflammasom-vermittelter monogener Erkrankungen mit Manifestation im Neugeborenenalter gegeben.

Non-infectious uveitis is associated with visual impairment and blindness. Non-biologic treatment for non-infectious uveitis is not based on strong evidence. A retrospective chart review was conducted to investigate treatment response to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in children with non-infectious uveitis. Fifty-six patients (93 eyes affected) were included. In 29% uveitis was associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Uveitis predominately affected the anterior segment, was bilateral and recurrent. Complications were common and included visual loss, synechiae, cataract and/or retinal lesions. Patients received up to 5 IVMP at monthly intervals. Visual acuity improved at 3 and 6 months. Anterior chamber cells, synechiae, keratic precipitates, papillary and/or macular edema improved at 3 months. Children treated with ≥3 IVMP (vs 1 IVMP) experienced trends towards fewer relapses, fewer cataracts and less frequently required treatment with biologic agents. High-dose IVMP induce rapid improvement in children with non-infectious uveitis. Prospective randomized trials are required to confirm results.

Background Intraocular inflammation accounts for up to 10-15% of total blindness cases [1]. The incidence of uveitis in children ranges around 4.9/100.000, and a significant number of patients develop chronic courses and irreparable complications [2]. An impressive 74% of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis are legally blind at diagnosis [3]. This underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and effective anti-inflammatory treatment. Objectives To evaluate the clinical response to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in children and adolescents with autoimmune uveitis. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in two tertiary referral centers in Germany (TU Dresden and University of Wurzburg) to investigate treatment responses to IVMP (10-30mg/kg/day on three successive days with a total of one to five IVMP at monthly intervals) in children and adolescents ( Results Fifty-six patients (93 affected eyes) with a median age of 7.4 (range: 2.5-16.7) years were included. In 29% of patients uveitis was associated with JIA. Uveitis was predominately located in the anterior segment (43%), bilateral (66%) and recurrent (43%). Complications occurred in 77% of patients and included visual loss, synechiae, cataract and/or retinal lesions. Patients with active uveitis received between 1 and 5 IVMP. Visual acuity improved significantly (0.52±0.33 to 0.69±0.30 at 3 months (p Conclusion High-dose IVMP induces rapid improvement in children with autoimmune uveitis. Data suggest improved outcomes in children treated with three or more courses of IVMP when compared to one course (without reaching statistical significance). Prospective randomized trials in larger cohorts are required to confirm results. References [1] Nussenblatt RB. The natural course of uveitis. Int Ophthalmol. 1990; 141:303–8. [2] [2] Paivonsalo-Hietanen T et al. Uveitis in children: population-based study in [3] Finland. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2000; 78(1):84-8. [4] [3] Woreta F at el. Risk factors for ocular complications and poor visual acuity at presentation among patients with uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Am JOphthalmol 2007; 143:647–55. Disclosure of Interests Anja Schnabel: None declared, Elisabeth Unger: None declared, Normi Bruck: None declared, Annette Holl-Wieden: None declared, Henner Morbach: None declared, Reinhard Berner Grant/research support from: Local Principal Investigator in a Clinical Trial on Canakimumab for sJIA supported by Novartis (Trial Registration: NCT00886769, NCT00889863, NCT00426218 and NCT00891046) Local Principal Investigator in a Clinical Trial DAP-PEDOST-11-03 supported by Merck (Trial Registration EUDRACT 2013-000864-28), Anna Leszczynska: None declared, Christian Hedrich Grant/research support from: Novartis Pharmaceuticas for Research study on effector T cells in psoriasis, Speakers bureau: In 2016: Roche Pharmaceuticals, RheumatoLogisch, Dresden, Germany; Novartis, Advisory board > Travel costs.

Non-arteriosclerotic arteriopathies have emerged as important underlying pathomechanism in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). The pathogenesis and classification of cerebral arteriopathies in childhood are heterogeneous. Different classifications base on (i) the anatomic site; (ii) the distribution and size of the affected vessel; (iii) the time course, for example, transient vs. progressive, monophasic vs. recurrent; (iv) the putative pathogenesis; (v) the magnetic resonance imaging morphology of the vasculopathies. Inflammation affecting the cerebral vessels is increasingly recognized as common cause of pediatric AIS. Primary cerebral vasculitis or primary angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS) in childhood (cPACNS) is an important differential diagnosis in pediatric AIS. Primary angiitis of the CNS is a rare disorder, and the pathogenesis is poorly understood so far. The current classification of cPACNS is based on the affected cerebral vessel size, the disease course, and angiographic pattern. Two large subtypes are currently recognized comprising large- and medium-sized vessel CNS vasculitis referred to as angiography-positive cPACNS and angiography-negative small vessel cPACNS. As the clinical manifestations of cPACNS are rather diverse, precise diagnosis can be challenging for the treating pediatrician because of the lack of vital laboratory tests or imaging features. Initial misdiagnosis is common because of overlapping phenotypes and pediatric AIS mimics. As untreated cPACNS is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, timely diagnosis, and induction of immunomodulatory and symptomatic therapy are essential. Survival and neurological outcome depend on early diagnosis and prompt therapy. Primary angiitis of the central nervous system in childhood differs in several aspects from primary cerebral angiitis in adults. The aim of this article is to give a brief comprehensive summary on pediatric primary cerebral vasculitis focusing on the clinical perspective regarding the classification, the putative pathogenesis, the disease course, the diagnostic tools, and emerging treatment options. A modified terminology for clinical practice is discussed.

To review recent scientific advances and therapeutic approaches in the expanding field of type I interferonopathies. Type I interferonopathies represent a genetically and phenotypically heterogenous group of disorders of the innate immune system caused by constitutive activation of antiviral type I interferon (IFN). Clinically, type I interferonopathies are characterized by autoinflammation and varying degrees of autoimmunity or immunodeficiency. The elucidation of the underlying genetic causes has revealed novel cell-intrinsic mechanisms that protect the organism against inappropriate immune recognition of self nucleic acids by cytosolic nucleic acid sensors. The type I IFN system is subject to a tight and complex regulation. Disturbances of its checks and balances can spark an unwanted immune response causing uncontrolled type I IFN signaling. Novel mechanistic insight into pathways that control the type I IFN system is providing opportunities for targeted therapeutic approaches by repurposing drugs such as Janus kinase inhibitors or reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) is a rare inflammatory disorder. It can result in disease and treatment-related disability. SoJIA is characterized by remitting fevers, evanescent rash, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly/splenomegaly, and/or serositis. Non-responsiveness to standard therapy with corticosteroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs is not uncommon. IL-1β has been shown to be a main contributor to the pathogenesis of SoJIA. Anakinra, a recombinant IL-1β receptor antagonist, was shown to be effective in small cohorts of therapy-resistant adult and pediatric Still's patients. In order to assess the efficacy and safety of first-line anakinra treatment in SoJIA, we reviewed the charts of all SoJIA patients in our institution from 2005 to 2010, searching for first-line anakinra-treated patients. We report the clinical and laboratory course of four SoJIA patients. The mean follow-up was 13.5 (range: 2-50) months. Anakinra was started at doses from 1.5 to 4 mg/kg for a median duration of 3 (range: 3-18) months. Two patients responded to anakinra mono-therapy; two cases required corticosteroids. Normalized body temperatures and the absence of evanescent rashes were achieved after a median of 4 (range: 2-10) days. We did not see treatment-related adverse reactions other than local injection site inflammation. This is the first single-center series, reporting anakinra as first-line treatment in SoJIA. We show rapid efficacy of anakinra in early SoJIA with reduced treatment-related side effects. A subset of patients remains corticosteroid dependent. Further studies are warranted to follow larger cohorts and to assess long-term safety.

Osteoid osteomas are painful bone tumors that usually occur in childhood or adolescence. Despite the small size of the bony lesions osteoid osteomas can cause persistent pain. Pathogenesis has not been completely understood. Remission usually occurs within several months to years. Therefore surgical therapy is not indicated in all cases. Nevertheless, as a result of reduced quality of life due to pain, sufficient analgesic/antiinflammatory therapy needs to be provided. We report on two male patients, aged 10 and 14 years, who presented with arthritis of the finger joints. As a result of both patients' histories, and following radiographic imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was made. Remission could be achieved in both patients following treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).In addition to the typical sites at the long bones of the lower extremity, osteoid osteomas can also localize to other sites such as fingers. In the case of definitive diagnosis and under close follow-up, medical treatment with NSAIDs is an alternative to surgical strategies. The operative risk should be weighed against the risk of long-term treatment with NSAIDs.

Because of its distinct clinical and laboratory features, reflecting systemic inflammation, sJIA can be distinguished from other forms of JIA which usually present as a milder phenotype. The exact pathophysiology of sJIA, however, remains unknown. Profound dysregulation of innate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and rapid clinical response to cytokine blocking strategies in sJIA patients suggest impaired control mechanisms in innate immune cells contributing to sJIA pathogenesis. Endogenous TLR ligands, such as S100 protein complexes, enhance the pro-inflammatory phenotype. Associations with polymorphisms in cytokine genes and their receptors suggest a genetic component. Furthermore, genetic associations that have been reported in familial hemophagocytic lympohistiocytosis also exist in patients with sJIA-associated macrophage activation syndrome, a severe complication of sJIA. Reported mutations in single genes, however, are too weak to confer sJIA, suggesting a multi-factorial mode of inheritance. We provide an overview of current pathophysiological concepts, state-of-the-art treatment regimens, and unanswered questions in sJIA.

Cryopyrinopathies are a subgroup of autoinflammatory syndromes. Most cases have mutations in the CIAS1/NLRL3 gene, encoding the cryopyrin/NLRP3 protein. Cryopyrin, together with other proteins, is involved in the assembly of the cryopyrin/NLRP3 inflammasome. Mutations in CIAS1/NLRP3 result in increased IL-1β cleavage from biologically inactive pro-IL-1β. This results in systemic inflammation and three associated disorders of different severity, forming a clinical continuum with overlapping features. The mildest from, familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS), is characterized by remitting fevers, urticaria-like rash, polyarthralgia/arthritis, and usually caused by cold exposure. More severe forms are Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) and CINCA/NOMID. We report an 8-year-old boy with FCAS, who presented with overlapping features with MWS. He showed good response to seasonal anakinra treatment. Mutation analysis in CIAS1/NLRP3, PYCARD, and CASP1 was performed. Serum cytokine profiles, and cytokine expression from resting monocytes, and in response to mild hypothermia, and LPS stimulation were determined. Mutations in CIAS1/NLRP3, PYCARD, and CASP1 were not found. In response to mild hypothermia, an enhanced IL-1β expression by patient monocytes resulted in increased IL-6 and TNF-α secretion, as compared to control cells. The addition of the IL-1β receptor antagonist (anakinra) reversed these effects. In response to LPS stimulation, patient monocytes produced high level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. This was markedly less pronounced in control monocytes. FCAS results in cold-induced cytokine dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Symptoms can be treated, using IL-1β antagonists. Further research is warranted, particularly in order to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms in “mutation negative” individuals.

We describe 2 patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and macrophage activation syndrome. Treatment with recombinant interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) and a corticosteroid rapidly induced remission, which could be maintained with anakinra monotherapy at a stable dose of 2 mg/kg per day. Pain at the injection site during the initial injections was the only adverse effect attributable to anakinra. Untoward effects of corticosteroid treatment were mild because prolonged therapy with high-dose corticosteroids could be avoided. These results suggest that early institution of interleukin 1 blockade merits further investigation for the treatment of macrophage activation syndrome and, perhaps, related conditions such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

A 12-year-old girl developed influenza B virus infection proven by typical symptoms and detection of the virus in a nasopharyngeal swab by culture and PCR. Two weeks later she developed an otherwise unexplained transient oligoarthritis of small joints of the left foot. Influenza viruses may be a hitherto underappreciated cause of a post-infectious arthritis.

Introduction: Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an inflammatory, non-infectious disorder of the skeletal system with unknown aetiology. Therapeutic options are NSAIDs, steroids and DMARDs (MTX or sulfasalazine). However, a considerable number of patients have a severe disease course and bisphosphonates[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 43. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie (DGRh); 29. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädische Rheumatologie (DGORh); 25. wissenschaftliche Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie (GKJR)