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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
06:35

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

Published on: February 8, 2019

Procalcitonin at the onset of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: the GRACG prospective study

J Schmidt1, P Duhaut, A M Bourgeois

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Place Victor Pauchet, Amiens University Hospital, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France. schmidt.jean@chu-amiens.fr

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|December 23, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were normal in patients with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), suggesting these conditions are not triggered by bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) exhibit epidemic patterns.
  • Immunological studies suggest activation of dendritic cells and toll-like receptors by an unknown antigen.
  • Procalcitonin (PCT) is a known early marker for bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients diagnosed with GCA and PMR at disease onset.
  • To investigate the potential role of bacterial triggers in GCA and PMR pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 46 patients diagnosed between 2002-2006 was randomly selected.
  • All patients met established diagnostic criteria (ACR or Hunder).
  • Blood samples were collected prior to the initiation of steroid therapy.

Main Results:

  • Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were found to be normal in all GCA and PMR patients.
  • Slightly elevated PCT levels were observed in men compared to women (P=0.009).
  • PCT levels were higher in PMR patients compared to GCA patients (P=0.018), with no significant correlation to inflammation markers.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support a bacterial trigger for GCA or PMR.
  • Elevated PCT levels in patients with inflammatory syndromes and GCA/PMR symptoms, alongside a negative temporal artery biopsy, may help rule out GCA and PMR diagnoses.

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