Cytokine abnormalities in a patient with eosinophilic fasciitis.

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and peripheral eosinophilia are rare in children. OBJECTIVE To describe a case of EF in a 3-year-old child who presented with acute painless induration of her forearm. METHODS Cytokine profiles were obtained and compared with patients with atopic disease during the acute presentation and after treatment with low-dose prednisone. RESULTS The patient's serum showed elevation of transforming growth factor beta1 and interleukin-5, which improved after treatment with low-dose prednisone. CONCLUSIONS The case suggests that patients with EF have cytokine abnormalities similar to atopic patients, but with a striking elevation of transforming growth factor beta1. The responsiveness of the clinical symptoms and cytokine profile to low dose prednisone supports treatment with low dose immunosuppressive therapy in this disorder.