Today there is a danger of spreading Ixodes ticks, which can cause Lyme disease, which is characterized by polysystemic lesions. As a rule, treatment involves antibiotic therapy. We studied the effectiveness of apitherapy by bee sting method in the complex treatment of patients with Lyme arthritis. Patients were prescribed a course of bee stings from 1 to 15 bee stings once every other day, a total of 102 stings. After a course of apitherapy, patients had significantly reduced or eliminated pain in the spine and joints, there was a significant decrease in IgM during bee stings between courses of antibiotic therapy and IgG in tests performed after a course of treatment with bees. Apitherapy can have a pronounced antibacterial effect over the next 2 years. In addition to these findings, further observations indicated that the immunomodulatory effects of bee venom may play a crucial role in mitigating inflammatory responses. Patients not only experienced relief from pain but also reported improved mobility and overall quality of life. The gradual reduction in specific antibody levels suggests that the bee sting treatment may help recalibrate the immune system over time. This additional benefit, coupled with the direct antibacterial properties of the venom, positions apitherapy as a promising complementary treatment approach. Continued research into the long-term effects is warranted to better understand its full therapeutic potential. Moreover, the observed improvements were supported by both subjective patient reports and objective clinical measurements. The treatment appeared to modulate the inflammatory cascade associated with Lyme arthritis, leading to fewer flare-ups and a reduction in joint stiffness. This innovative method also showed potential in preventing further joint degradation, thereby extending its benefit beyond immediate pain relief. Future studies are needed to explore the optimal dosing, frequency, and possible synergies with conventional antibiotic therapies, ensuring that patients receive the most effective comprehensive care.
Introduction. Celiac disease (CD) is a global public health problem. Recent studies have revealed the global prevalence of approximately 1.4% in adults. It is known to manifest usually in childhood and have different symptoms similar to other diseases. In the presented case reports the case of CD in adult, manifested by various atypical symptoms, that became the obstacle to diagnosis the CD in time was described.
Methods. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We performed a comprehensive literature search using such databases as Web of Science, Embase, PubMed. The search strategy included the following terms: "celiac disease", "gluten sensitivity", "pathophysiology", "diagnosis and treatment", "case report". Case description was described according to Case Report (CARE) guidelines.
Results. Recent advances in CD research have significantly enhanced our understanding of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in adults. Advances in genetic and immunological research have deepened our understanding of disease mechanisms, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
А female patient had the complaints of constant pain in the periumbilical and left hypochondriac areas, irregular defecation, diarrhea; legs swelling up to the level of knees. During the ultrasonography of the internal organs, free fluid in the abdominal cavity (approximately 2.0l) was detected. During the gastroscopy it was found pyloritis, gastroptosis, gastroduodenal reflux, CD was suspected, biopsy was taken. The results of the duodenal descending part biopsy: chronic enteritis with significant atrophic-inflammatory changes. To confirm the CD the serological testing also was conducted: IgA to deamidated gliadin > 9.0 (N-<1.0), IgG to deamidated gliadin 0.22 (N-<1.0), IgA to tissue transglutaminase 2 – 2.88 (N-<1.0), IgG to tissue transglutaminase 2 – 0.06 (N<1.0). After the mentioned examination the diagnosis of CD was set. The patient received symptomatic treatment followed by the gluten-free diet (GFD). After 10 days in the hospital the patient was discharged with improved condition and the main recommendation to maintain the GFD.
Discussion. CD is “getting older” and can be very similar to or accompanied by chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome etc. As could be seen from the clinical case description, the combination of the characteristic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, continuous or frequently repeated diarrhea should lead to the thorough examination of a patient including endoscopy with biopsy and if any suspicion exists, subsequent serological testing. GFD remains the cornerstone of treatment, ongoing research into enzyme supplements, immunomodulators, and even genetic modification of wheat offers hope for additional management options.
Conclusions. Only the multifaceted approach, combining serological tests, instrumental examinations and qualified histopathological assessment, offers a comprehensive means of identifying CD and enabling the timely treatment.
УДК 616.36–004:616.24–008.811.6–036
The aim of the study. To determine the frequency and character of syntropic extrahepatic lesions in cirrhotic patients depending on the hepatopulmonary syndrome severity degree.
Materials and methods. In a randomized manner with preliminary stratification by the presence of hepatopulmonary syndrome were studied 93 patients with liver cirrhosis, who underwent the comprehensive clinical-laboratory and instrumental examination.
Results. According to the obtained results, most often in patients with liver cirrhosis associated with hepatopulmonary syndrome syntropic extrahepatic lesions affected other organ systems as follows: digestive system - 100.0 % patients under investigation; hematopoietic system - 84.9 %; nervous system - 81.7 %; integumentary system and mucous membranes - 78.5 %; blood circulatory system - 76. 3 %; osteoarticular system - 67.7 %; urinary system - 22.6 %. Increased severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with thein creased frequency of lesions.
Among syntropic polymorbid lesions of the integumentary system and mucous membranes, 68.8 % patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome had jaundice, 66.7 % - telangiectasia. Among lesions of the osteoarticular system osteopenia was diagnosed in 44.7 % of patients, osteoporosis - in 27.7 %. Among lesions of the circulatory system 52.7% of patients suffered from heart rhythm disorders, 49.5 % - from arterial hypotension, 20.4 % - from cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Among lesions of the hematopoietic system anemia (76.3 %), coagulopathy (73.1 %) and thrombocytopenia (61.3 %) were diagnosed most often. Digestive system lesionsinclude esophageal veins varicosities (94.6 % of patients), hemorrhoidal veins varicosites (68.8 %), and cirrhotic gastropathy (62.4 %). Among lesions of the urinary systemin 21.5 % of patientswas diagnosed type II hepatorenal syndrome. Among the lesions of central nervous system in 81.7 % of patientswas diagnosed hepatic encephalopathy. The frequency of syndromes and nosological units increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase of hepatopulmonary syndrome severity.
Conclusions. 100.0 % patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied byhepatopulmonary syndromewere affected by syntropic polymorbid lesionsof the digestive system, 94.6 % of which were represented by esophageal vein varicosites. Out of 84.9 % of patients with hematopoietic lesions anemia was diagnosed in 76.3 %, coagulopathy - in 73.1 % of cases. Of total 81.7 % patients withnervous system injurieshepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in 81.7 % patients. In 78.5 % cases of damaged skin, its appendages and mucous membranesjaundice covered 68.8 %, and telangiectasia 66.7 % of cases. In 76.3 % of cardiovascular system lesions arrhythmias were diagnosed in 52.7 %. With the increasing severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome, the frequency of the above lesions increased significantly (p < 0.05).
УДК: 616.36–004:616.24–008.811.6–036
The aim of the study. To determine the frequency and character of syntropic extrahepatic lesions in cirrhotic patients depending on the hepatopulmonary syndrome severity degree.
Materials and methods. In a randomized manner with preliminary stratification by the presence of hepatopulmonary syndrome were studied 93 patients with liver cirrhosis, who underwent the comprehensive clinical-laboratory and instrumental examination.
Results. According to the obtained results, most often in patients with liver cirrhosis associated with hepatopulmonary syndrome syntropic extrahepatic lesions affected other organ systems as follows: digestive system - 100.0 % patients under investigation; hematopoietic system - 84.9 %; nervous system - 81.7 %; integumentary system and mucous membranes - 78.5 %; blood circulatory system - 76. 3 %; osteoarticular system - 67.7 %; urinary system - 22.6 %. Increased severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with thein creased frequency of lesions.
Among syntropic polymorbid lesions of the integumentary system and mucous membranes, 68.8 % patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome had jaundice, 66.7 % - telangiectasia. Among lesions of the osteoarticular system osteopenia was diagnosed in 44.7 % of patients, osteoporosis - in 27.7 %. Among lesions of the circulatory system 52.7% of patients suffered from heart rhythm disorders, 49.5 % - from arterial hypotension, 20.4 % - from cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Among lesions of the hematopoietic system anemia (76.3 %), coagulopathy (73.1 %) and thrombocytopenia (61.3 %) were diagnosed most often. Digestive system lesionsinclude esophageal veins varicosities (94.6 % of patients), hemorrhoidal veins varicosites (68.8 %), and cirrhotic gastropathy (62.4 %). Among lesions of the urinary systemin 21.5 % of patientswas diagnosed type II hepatorenal syndrome. Among the lesions of central nervous system in 81.7 % of patientswas diagnosed hepatic encephalopathy. The frequency of syndromes and nosological units increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase of hepatopulmonary syndrome severity.
Conclusions. 100.0 % patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied byhepatopulmonary syndromewere affected by syntropic polymorbid lesionsof the digestive system, 94.6 % of which were represented by esophageal vein varicosites. Out of 84.9 % of patients with hematopoietic lesions anemia was diagnosed in 76.3 %, coagulopathy - in 73.1 % of cases. Of total 81.7 % patients withnervous system injurieshepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed in 81.7 % patients. In 78.5 % cases of damaged skin, its appendages and mucous membranesjaundice covered 68.8 %, and telangiectasia 66.7 % of cases. In 76.3 % of cardiovascular system lesions arrhythmias were diagnosed in 52.7 %. With the increasing severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome, the frequency of the above lesions increased significantly (p < 0.05).
Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with a chronic inflammatory process that affects bone metabolism and leading to impaired bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, the determination of laboratory markers of bone metabolism contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of metabolic bone diseases.
The aim of the study: To characterize the bone metabolism parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients with impaired bone mineral density, to find out their features and diagnostic value.
Materials and methods: The study included 76 patients randomly stratified by RA status who were treated in the Rheumatology Department of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital, a municipal non-profit enterprise of Lviv Regional Council, from 2013 to 2019. The goal was achieved by performing three consecutive stages of the study. At the first stage, markers of bone formation and bone resorption were characterized. At the second stage, the peculiarities of these indicators were determined. The third stage was to determine the diagnostic value of the content of the markers of formation оsteocalcin (OCN) and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and resorption marker isomerized C-terminal telopeptide specific for the degradation of type I collagen in the bone tissue (β-CrossLaps).
Results: According to the results of the study at the first stage, it was found that, in RA patients with osteoporosis (OP), the serum content of markers of osteoblastic bone function OCN (p=0.000) and P1NP (p=0.035) was significantly lower compared to the healthy individuals of CG, while the content of the marker of bone resorption β-CrossLaps was significantly higher (p=0. 021); in RA patients with OP, the serum content of both markers of osteoblastic bone function OCN (p=0.000) and P1NP (p=0.001) is significantly lower, while β-CrossLaps (p>0.050) is only slightly higher compared to healthy CG subjects. According to the results obtained at the second stage of the study, it can be stated that the content of OCN and P1NP in the blood serum is significantly lower in RA patients both with osteopenia and OP compared to RA patients without BMD disorders.
At the third stage of the study, it was found a significant relationship between the content of P1NP and belonging to a group with osteopenia (AC -0.52). A confirmed relationship was found between the content of OCN and belonging to the group with OP (direct direction of AC 0.57; p=0.017).
Conclusions: Bone structure disorders in rheumatoid arthritis patients with osteopenia are characterized by a weakening of bone formation and increased resorption processes; in rheumatoid arthritis patients with osteoporosis, the weakening of osteoblastic bone function is more pronounced compared to rheumatoid arthritis patients with osteopenia. For rheumatoid arthritis patients with unimpaired bone mineral density, the highest diagnostic value is provided by procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide. For rheumatoid arthritis patients with osteoporosis, osteocalcin is a diagnostically valuable marker.