Background/Purpose: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) encompasses the most common chronic rheumatologic manifestations in children. It results from the interplay of genetic, environmental, and infectious factors. An imbalance in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis), including the fungal component (mycobiome), is a significant aspect of this infectious component. (1-3)-β-D-Glucans (BDG) are major components of the fungal cell wall with immunomodulatory activity implicated in inflammatory diseases. The significance of BDG in JIA remains undefined.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum BDG levels and disease activity in JIA.

Methods: We included 37 patients under 18 years with JIA, monitored at a French University Hospital between January and December 2019. Disease activity was assessed using the validated JIA Disease Activity Score (JADAS), and serum BDG levels were measured using the Fungitell® assay (Cape Cod).

Results: A strong correlation was found between serum BDG levels and JADAS scores (r = 0.76, p = 0.006) in treatment-naïve patients. No correlation was observed between BDG levels, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time an association between serum BDG levels and JADAS scores in JIA. Further studies are needed to confirm these results on a larger scale. Additional analyses of anti-BDG antibodies and fungal microbiota could further characterize the fungal flora in these patients.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/serum-1-3-%ce%b2-d-glucan-levels-in-juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/