Abstract
Background
Intestinal permeability and altered inflammatory responses, along with genetic and environmental factors, likely contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the presence and prevalence of subclinical intestinal inflammation among apparently healthy, first-degree relatives of pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease, using non-invasive fecal markers.
Methods
Stool samples were collected from 13 patients with Crohn’s disease, 36 siblings and 41 parents. S100A12 levels were measured using an in-house ELISA assay and calprotectin levels were determined using the PhiCal test, with levels compared to normal healthy population controls.
Results
Fecal S100A12 levels in siblings (median, 14 mg/kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9–32 mg/kg) and patients (71 mg/kg; CI 4–286 mg/kg) differed significantly from pediatric controls (1 mg/kg; CI 1–5 mg/kg; p < 0.001). In contrast, fecal calprotectin levels in siblings (22 mg/kg; CI 15–31 mg/kg) were lower than that of pediatric controls (31 mg/kg; CI 19–52 mg/kg; p = 0.03). Fecal markers were not elevated in parents compared to adult controls.
Conclusions
This study provides further evidence of subclinical intestinal inflammation amongst first-degree relatives of patients with Crohn’s disease. The presence of sub-clinical gut inflammation may be a risk factor for the subsequent development of Crohn’s disease.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this study was received in part from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
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The authors have no conflicts to declare.
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Pham, M., Leach, S.T., Lemberg, D.A. et al. Subclinical Intestinal Inflammation in Siblings of Children with Crohn’s Disease. Dig Dis Sci 55, 3502–3507 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1434-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1434-8