scholarly journals Tuberculosis and Immunosuppressive Treatment in Uveitis Patients

Author(s):  
François Willermain ◽  
Laure Caspers ◽  
Weber Celia ◽  
Dorine Makhoul
2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (33) ◽  
pp. 1312-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gábor Pocsay ◽  
Andrea Gazdag ◽  
József Engelhardt ◽  
István Szaniszló ◽  
Zoltán Szolnoki ◽  
...  

The authors present a case report and review the literature on Hashimoto encephalopathy. The onset of the disease may be marked by focal and then progressively generalized seizures or other neurological symptoms, but a cognitive decline or various psychiatric symptoms may also emerge. High levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are present in the serum. Corticosteroid treatment usually results in an improvement of symptoms. The syndrome is frequently overlooked and, therefore, the authors strongly recommend testing serum thyroid autoantibodies in cases with encephalopathy of unknown origin independently on the presence of thyroid disease in the patient or family history. The importance of long-term immunosuppressive treatment should also be stressed. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1312–1316.


1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-67
Author(s):  
Aline Dos Santos ◽  
Ana Caroline Balducci Scafi ◽  
Luciene Azevedo Morais ◽  
Pablo Girardelli Mendonça Mesquita

RESUMOIntrodução: A Granulomatose de Wegener (GW) é uma vasculite rara e idiopática associada à presença do anticorpo Anticitoplasma de Neutrófilo (ANCA) que acomete, preferencialmente, os pequenos vasos. As manifestações clínicas são diversas, ocorrendo em mais de 90% dos casos, sintomas do trato respiratório. O comprometimento renal é tardio e preditor de mau prognóstico.  Sua morbidade a médio e longo prazo inclui insuficiência renal crônica. A probabilidade de sucesso de manutenção da função renal depende da concentração sérica de creatinina ao início do tratamento, o que indica a importância do diagnóstico e terapêutica adequada precoces. Casuística: Relata-se o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 61 anos, portadora de GW com comprometimento renal avançado à apresentação não precedido por sintomas pulmonares esperados. O tratamento imunossupressor associado a plasmaferese permitiu a melhora da função renal da paciente poupando-a de tornar-se dialítica- dependente. Discussão: A paciente iniciou a doença através de insuficiência renal assintomática, com valores de função renal compatíveis com o estágio mais avançado de doença renal crônica, ultrassonografia dos rins sem alterações compatíveis e sem os sintomas respiratórios esperados. Segundo a literatura, a combinação de imunossupressores e plasmaferese associa-se à recuperação renal em três meses com sobrevivência sem necessidade de diálise por 12 meses, no caso relatado, obteve-se tal resultado em 22 dias sem a necessidade de diálise após um ano. Conclusão: Devido ao diagnóstico precoce, o tratamento adequado foi instalado rapidamente proporcionando à paciente um aumento da expectativa e da qualidade de vida, evitando dependência de terapia renal substitutiva.Palavras-Chave: Granulomatose de Wegener, Plasmaferese, Doença renal crônica.  ABSTRACTIntroduction: The Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) is a rare and idiopathic vasculitis associated with the presence of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA), that affects, preferentially, the small vessels. The clinical manifestations are diverse, occurring in over 90% of cases, symptoms in the respiratory tract. Kidney damage is a late and bad prognostic predictor. Morbidity in the medium and long term includes chronic renal failure. The probability of renal function maintenance success depends on serum creatinine concentration at the beginning of treatment that indicates the importance of early diagnosis and deployment of an appropriate therapy. Case Report: We present a case of a 61-year-old female patient, carrier of GW with advanced renal impairment presentation, not preceded by expected pulmonary symptoms. The immunosuppressive treatment associated with plasmapheresis allowed the improvement of the patient’s renal function, saving her from becoming dialysis-dependent Discussion: The patient developed the disease through asymptomatic renal failure, renal function with values that are compatible with the most advanced stage of chronic kidney disease, ultrasound of the kidneys without compatible changes and without the expected respiratory symptoms. According to the literature, the combination of immunosuppressive drugs and plasmapheresis is associated with renal recovery in three months with survival without dialysis for 12 months. In this case, a result was obtained in 22 days without the need for dialysis after one year. Conclusion: Due to the early diagnosis, appropriate treatment was quickly installed giving the patient increased life expectancy and quality, preventing dependence on renal replacement therapy.Keywords: Wegener’s granulomatosis, Plasmapheresis, Chronic renal failure.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Londzin-Olesik ◽  
Beata Kos-Kudla ◽  
Jacek Karpe ◽  
Aleksandra Nowak ◽  
Mariusz Nowak

Abstract Background and Study Aims Thyroid-associated orbitopathy, the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease, is an autoimmune inflammation of orbital soft tissue. We report the study assessing the effect of immunosuppressive treatment with methylprednisolone on selected antioxidant parameters in patients with Graves’ disease with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Patients and Methods Activity and serum levels of selected antioxidant parameters as well as lipid peroxidation products were determined in a group of 56 patients with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy at three time-points: at baseline, after the discontinuation of intravenous methylprednisolone treatment and at 3 months after the discontinuation of additional oral methylprednisolone treatment. A control group consisted of 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Results We found an increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and increased serum levels of uric acid, malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, as well as a reduced activity of paraoxonase-1 and reduced serum vitamin C level in the study group at baseline. Systemic intravenous and oral methylprednisolone therapy led to normalization of activity and concentration of the most studied parameters. Conclusion Results of our study confirmed that oxidative stress is one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy and the methyloprednisolone treatment is effective in reducing both clinical symptoms and oxidative stress in patients with this disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 871.2-871
Author(s):  
F. Araujo ◽  
N. Gonçalves ◽  
A. F. Mourão

Background:The outcomes of the infection by the SARS-CoV-2 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases were largely unknown during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that these patients were at higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to their inherent immune dysfunction and immunosuppressive therapy. Several rheumatology societies issued recommendations urging patients not to stop their anti-rheumatic treatments.Objectives:To assess treatment compliance of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal.Methods:The web-based survey COVIDRA (COVID in RA) was developed to assess the impact of the first wave mandatory confinement in patients with RA focusing on 5 domains: RA symptoms, attitudes towards medication, employment status, physical exercise and mental health. The questionnaire was sent to RA patients through e-mail and social media of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology and two patient associations; and it was filled locally at two rheumatology centers in Lisbon. Recruitment took place during June and July 2020. Descriptive statistics were generated by the survey software and were afterwards transported and evaluated using appropriate biostatistics software.Results:We obtained 441 valid questionnaires. Most respondents were female (88.4%), caucasian (93.6%), with a mean age of 58 (+/-13) years. The majority (57.6%) had longstanding disease (>10 years) and were treated with csDMARDs (63.2%) and/or bDMARDs/tsDMARDS (23,7%). Only 14% (N=61) discontinued or reduced the dosage or frequency of their RA treatment. Most of these changes were previously planned by the attending physician (27.9%). Only 11 patients (18%) discontinued their immunosuppressive medication out of fear of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 (corresponding to 2.5% of total responders). Another 11 patients did so because they had no prescription, couldn’t go to the community/hospital pharmacy or couldn’t afford the medication. Although these numbers preclude any statistical analysis, when compared to patients who persisted on their treatment, those discontinuing due to fear of contagion were younger (56.4 vs 58.5 years), all female (100 vs 86.8%), with long-lasting disease (≥ 11 years) (90.9% vs 57.5%), more frequently treated with bDMARDs (36.4 vs 23.1%) and presenting more symptoms of depression (54.5 vs 49.7%).Conclusion:Most RA patients complied with their treatment during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Portugal. Only a minority changed their immunosuppressive treatment due to fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Very similar rates of immunosuppressive discontinuation due to fear of contagion were reported by other authors (such as Schmeiser et al, Pineda-sic et al and Fragoulis et al).Disclosure of Interests:Filipe Araujo Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Biogen, Novartis, Menarini, Consultant of: MSD, Nuno Gonçalves: None declared, Ana Filipa Mourão: None declared.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-240
Author(s):  
Houari Aissaoui ◽  
Kinan Drak Alsibai ◽  
Naji Khayath

Anti-MDA5 antibodies-associated amyopathic dermatomyositisis a rare autoimmune disease that involve polyarthritis, cutaneous and pulmonary manifestations. The development of rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease is a life-threatening complication. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman without medical history, who was addressed to the Pulmonary Department for a polyarthritis with dry cough and hypoxemic dyspnea. Initially there was neither cutaneous manifestation nor interstitial lung disease on chest CT scan. After a few days, the patient developed fatal acute respiratory failure with diffuse ground glass opacities. Identification of anti-MDA5 antibodies allowed establishing diagnosis, despite the fact that the first immunological assessment was negative. Corticosteroid bolus of 1 g for three days and immunosuppressive treatment by cyclophosphamide was only initiated at the acute respiratory distress syndrome stage. Given the rapidly unfavorable prognosis of this entity of amyopathic dermatomyositis, the testing for anti-MDA5 antibodies should be recommended in case of progressive pulmonary symptoms associated with joint signs in order to identify this disease at an early stage and to begin rapid and adequate management.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilis Kouranos ◽  
Lauren V Host ◽  
Corrado Campochiaro ◽  
Athol Wells ◽  
Christopher P Denton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Aims  Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) confers significant benefit in range of connective tissue diseases (CTD) including inflammatory myopathy (IM) of which interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a major complication. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of IVIg on pulmonary involvement in refractory active CTD including systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods  All patients with CTD-ILD confirmed on HRCT either with IM or SSc overlap myositis who did not achieve satisfactory clinical response to standard immunosuppressive agents and subsequently received regular IVIg infusions for IM were retrospectively identified. Serial lung function tests and immunosuppressive treatment regimen 9-12 months prior and 9-12 months after repeat courses of IVIg were recorded. Progressive ILD was considered when, despite immunosuppressive treatment, a relative FVC decline≥10% and/or relative DLco decline ≥15% were identified during the 9-12 months preceding IVIg treatment. The significance of median DLco and FVC percentage relative change to IVIg treatment was assessed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results  22 patients (mean age 50.5±13.1 years old) with IM-ILD treated with IVIg were identified. ILD occurred in association with IM in 10 patients, overlap SSc myositis in another 11 patients, while one had mixed connective tissue disease with myositis. Lung function results were available for 19/22 (86%). Eight patients (42.1%) were found to have progressive ILD(four with IM and four with overlap SSc-myositis). The median change in FVC% predicted and DLco% predicted in the 9-12 months before and after IVIg treatment is presented in Table 1. There was a significant difference in the DLco% predicted rate of relative change before and after IVIg treatment (p = 0.035) for the overall cohort. However, no differences in lung function were observed in the rate of relative change between patients with IM and patients with SSc myositis overlap. Significant improvement in DLco% predicted values was identified in the subgroup analysis of patients with progressive ILD(p = 0.012). P157 Table 1:The median change in FVC and DLco% predicted values prior and after the IVIg treatmentPatients with myositis related ILD9-12 months before IVIg treatment (relative change)9-12 months after IVIg treatment (relative change)p-valueAll (n = 19)FVC % predicted-3.8 (-54.4 - 14.6)2.1 (-33 - 33.7)0.145DLco % predicted-9.2 (-60.7 - 9.2)-2.3 (-26 - 41.9)0.035PM/DM (n = 10)FVC % predicted-1.8 (-20.2 - 14.6)0.8 (-33 - 30.9)0.401DLco % predicted-9.6 (-60.7 - 9.2)-2.4 (-26 - 41.9)0.093SSc-PM/DM overlap (n = 11)FVC % predicted-6 (-54.4 - 10.6)3.4 (-19.9 - 33.7)0.139DLco % predicted-10.8 (-47.1 - 2.5)4.2 (-22.7 - 16.8)0.173Progressive ILD (n = 8)FVC % predicted-14.5 (-54.4 - 14.6)5.7 (-11.9 - 33.7)0.123DLco % predicted-25.3 (-60.6 - -14.1)12 (-2.3 - 41.9)0.012 Conclusion  IVIg may be an effective rescue therapy in the prevention of further lung function decline in refractory myositis and SSc overlap in particular in subgroups with progressive ILD. Future studies to determine its role in CTD-ILD are warranted. Disclosure  V. Kouranos: None. L.V. Host: None. C. Campochiaro: None. A. Wells: None. C.P. Denton: None. V.H. Ong: None. E. Renzoni: None.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Bruno Fattizzo ◽  
Fabio Serpenti ◽  
Wilma Barcellini ◽  
Chiara Caprioli

Myelodysplasias with hypocellular bone marrow (hMDS) represent about 10–15% of MDS and are defined by reduced bone marrow cellularity (i.e., <25% or an inappropriately reduced cellularity for their age in young patients). Their diagnosis is still an object of debate and has not been clearly established in the recent WHO classification. Clinical and morphological overlaps with both normo/hypercellular MDS and aplastic anemia include cytopenias, the presence of marrow hypocellularity and dysplasia, and cytogenetic and molecular alterations. Activation of the immune system against the hematopoietic precursors, typical of aplastic anemia, is reckoned even in hMDS and may account for the response to immunosuppressive treatment. Finally, the hMDS outcome seems more favorable than that of normo/hypercellular MDS patients. In this review, we analyze the available literature on hMDS, focusing on clinical, immunological, and molecular features. We show that hMDS pathogenesis and clinical presentation are peculiar, albeit in-between aplastic anemia (AA) and normo/hypercellular MDS. Two different hMDS phenotypes may be encountered: one featured by inflammation and immune activation, with increased cytotoxic T cells, increased T and B regulatory cells, and better response to immunosuppression; and the other, resembling MDS, where T and B regulatory/suppressor cells prevail, leading to genetic clonal selection and an increased risk of leukemic evolution. The identification of the prevailing hMDS phenotype might assist treatment choice, inform prognosis, and suggest personalized monitoring.


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