An observational study in Still's Disease, Adult-Onset, Sepsis and Macrophagic Activation Syndrome, sponsored by Brugmann University Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Belgium. Open to participants aged Up to 85 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-10-06.
Sponsored by Brugmann University Hospital · Observational
In healthy subjects, from 50 to 80 % of the serum ferritin is glycosylated [1, 2] . A decrease in the percentage of ferritin glycosylation can be observed in inflammatory diseases, malignancies, infections, or liver disease but is rarely less than 20% [3 , 4] . Percentage of glycosylated ferritin below 20% have been described in patients with adult Still's disease and haemophagocytosis lymphohistiocytic syndromes (HLH).
The glycosylated ferritin has been included in the diagnostic criteria for Still's disease in adults. A cut-off of less than 20 % has a sensitivity and specificity of 72 and 69 % respectively , and 35 and 94 % when combined with a total ferritin level greater than 5 times normal value. This parameter was also suggested to be a more specific marker to confirm a diagnosis of HLH than a high ferritin level ( > 500μg / L). However, several limitations of this parameter were highlighted, some conditions making its interpretation difficult : particularly in cases of major hepatic cytolysis and severe sepsis (miliary tuberculosis, lymphoma and disease Adult Still).
It is not always possible to distinguish severe sepsis, HLH syndrome and Still's disease.
A fine analysis of various glycoforms components of ferritin could be used to distinguish different subgroups of patients. Few data are available on the mechanism of secretion and glycosylation of ferritin, but the investigators assume that the glycosylation patterns of ferritin may vary between different disease states and reflect distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
The objectives of this study are:
Materials and methods
Patient groups studied and control group
Control groups: sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, inflammation ( lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), severe hepatic necrosis, hematologic malignancy at diagnosis or relapse
2 . Samples
For the orther patients remaining serum samples will be collected from ferritin sample of the routine biological evaluation in patients with infammatory diseases ( lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) , hematologic malignancies at diagnosis or relapse, hepatic necrosis or sepsis.
3 . Characterization of patients based on diagnostic criteria (clinical and biological) retained (with collaborating physicians).
After approval of the EC CHU Brugmann, the protocol will be submitted to other EC institutions.
4 . Analysis of the glycosylation profile of ferritin by mass spectrometry. (in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy , Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Van Antwerpen P and Delporte C)
Analysis and interpretation
23 studies on the registry are indexed under Still's Disease, Adult-Onset; 5 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 155 across 10 observational studies indexed under Still's Disease, Adult-Onset.
Browse Still's Disease, Adult-Onset studies →Brugmann University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 117 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
All consecutive patients admitted in our hospital with inclusion criteria with a suspicion of sepsis or macrophagic activation syndrome.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Fraction of glycosylated ferritin in serum
Time frame: One year
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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