Prevalence of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in a medical care program organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular dysplasia that might affect 1/5000-10 000 individuals worldwide. It is a rare and underdiagnosed condition. Population-based epidemiological studies are crucial for comprehending and quantifying the impact of this disease. We aim to estimate the prevalence in a Prepaid Health Care System of Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed, which included all patients over 18 years of age affiliated with the Hospital Italiano Medical Care Program (IHMCP), a prepaid health maintenance organization (HMO) of Buenos Aires. For case inclusion, individuals were required to have a clinical diagnosis of HHT. Case detection included the search in our Institutional Registry. The prevalence was calculated by dividing the number of cases of HHT by the total number of all active affiliates at January 2023. Age and gender specific prevalence rates were estimated. RESULTS: 48 cases were reported. The prevalence was 3.2 in 10 000 (IC 95% 2.4-4.2). Specific prevalence in women was 3.9 in 10 000 (IC 95% 2.8-5.5) and in men 2.1 in 10 000 (IC 95% 1.2-3.6). The average age was 54.8 (19), 35 patients were women (72.9%) with an average age of 55 (19.9), and 55 (17.2) for men. The most common referrals were physicians (60.4%) followed by family history (18.7%). The 48 patients corresponded to 39 families. DISCUSSION: The prevalence identified in our study is higher than the one documented in other studies.

Introducción: La telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria (HHT) es una displasia vascular que puede afectar a 1 de 5000 a 10 000 personas en el mundo. Es una afección rara y subdiagnosticada. Los estudios epidemiológicos son fundamentales para comprender y cuantificar el impacto de esta enfermedad. Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia en un Sistema Prepago de Atención de la Salud, en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes mayores de 18 años afiliados al Programa de Atención Médica del Hospital Italiano en Buenos Aires (Plan de Salud). Para la inclusión de casos, se requería el diagnóstico de HHT. La detección de casos incluyó su búsqueda en nuestro Registro Institucional. La prevalencia se calculó dividiendo el número de casos por el número total de afiliados activos en enero de 2023. Se estimaron tasas específicas por edad y género. Resultados: Se reportaron 48 casos. La prevalencia fue de 3.2 por 10 000 personas (IC 95% 2.4-4.2). La específica en mujeres fue de 3.9 (IC 95% 2.8-5.5) y en hombres de 2.1 por 10 000 (IC 95% 1.2-3.6). La edad promedio fue de 55 años (19), con 35 pacientes mujeres (72.9%) con una edad promedio de 55 años (19.9) y 55 (17.2) para hombres. La derivación más común fue de médicos (60.4%), seguidas por antecedentes familiares (18.7%). Los 48 pacientes correspondían a 39 familias. Discusión: La prevalencia identificada en nuestro estudio es más alta que la documentada en otros estudios.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia associated with gastrointestinal angiodysplasias successfully treated with bevacizumab.

Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare hemorrhagic condition caused by a platelet surface receptor disorder of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa. Symptoms of GT are various forms of hemorrhages, such as purpura, epistaxis and menorrhagia. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a rare expression of the condition and may occur due to traumas in the GI tract or as a consequence of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIADs). In this case report, we present a middle-aged woman with recurrent GIB consequent to GIADs with persistent melena and iron deficiency anemia. After several unsuccessful therapeutic interventions, the patient was studied by the hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia's (HHT - Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) unit, where she received bevacizumab, showing a complete improvement in symptoms as well as a reduction in her GIADs. This case shows that bevacizumab could be a possible line of treatment for patients with coagulation disorders with GIADs.

An international, multicenter study of intravenous bevacizumab for bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: the InHIBIT-Bleed study.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) is a rare multisystem vascular disorder causing chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, and severe anemia. Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, may be effective to treat bleeding in HHT. This international, multicenter, retrospective study evaluated the use of systemic bevacizumab to treat HHT-associated bleeding and anemia at 12 HHT treatment centers. Hemoglobin, epistaxis severity score, red cell units transfused, and intravenous iron infusions before and after treatment were evaluated using paired means testing and mixed-effects linear models. 238 HHT patients received bevacizumab for a median of 12 (range, 1-96) months. Compared with pretreatment, bevacizumab increased mean hemoglobin by 3.2 g/dL (95% CI, 2.9-3.5 g/dL) [mean hemoglobin 8.6 (8.5, 8.8) g/dL versus 11.8 (11.5, 12.1) g/dL, p<0.0001)] and decreased the epistaxis severity score (ESS) by 3.4 (3.2-3.7) points [mean ESS 6.8 (6.6-7.1) versus 3.4 (3.2-3.7), P<0.0001] during the first year of treatment. Compared with 6 months pretreatment, RBC units transfused decreased by 82% [median of 6.0 (IQR 0.0-13.0) units versus 0 (IQR, 0.0-1.0) units, P<0.0001] and iron infusions decreased by 70% [median of 6.0 (1.0-18.0) infusions versus 1.0 (0.0-4.0) infusions, P<0.0001] during the first 6 months of bevacizumab treatment. Outcomes were similar regardless of underlying pathogenic mutation. Following initial induction infusions, continuous/scheduled bevacizumab maintenance achieved higher hemoglobin and lower ESS than intermittent/as needed maintenance but with more drug exposure. Bevacizumab was well tolerated: hypertension, fatigue, and proteinuria were the most common adverse events. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 2% of patients. In conclusion, systemic bevacizumab was safe and effective to manage chronic bleeding and anemia in HHT.

Targeting ß2-Adrenergic Receptors Shows Therapeutical Benefits in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma from Von Hippel-Lindau Disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), is a rare autosomal dominant inherited cancer in which the lack of VHL protein triggers the development of multisystemic tumors such us retinal hemangioblastomas (HB), CNS-HB, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). ccRCC ranks third in terms of incidence and first in cause of death. Standard systemic therapies for VHL-ccRCC have shown limited response, with recurrent surgeries being the only effective treatment. Targeting of ß2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) has shown therapeutic antitumor benefits on VHL-retinal HB (clinical trial) and VHL-CNS HB (in vitro). Therefore, the in vitro and in vivo antitumor benefits of propranolol (ADRB-1,2 antagonist) and ICI-118,551 (ADRB-2 antagonist) on VHL-/- ccRCC primary cultures and 786-O tumor cell lines have been addressed. Propranolol and ICI-118,551 activated apoptosis inhibited gene and protein expression of HIF-2α, CAIX, and VEGF, and impaired partially the nuclear internalization of HIF-2α and NFĸB/p65. Moreover, propranolol and ICI-118,551 reduced tumor growth on two in vivo xenografts. Finally, ccRCC patients receiving propranolol as off-label treatment have shown a positive therapeutic response for two years on average. In summary, propranolol and ICI-118,551 have shown antitumor benefits in VHL-derived ccRCC, and since ccRCCs comprise 63% of the total RCCs, targeting ADRB2 becomes a promising drug for VHL and other non-VHL tumors.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic diary: from rumors to the first case. Early reports of molecular tests from the military research and diagnostic institute of Rio de Janeiro.

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) presents a serious threat to global health. A historical timeline of early molecular diagnostics from government alert (January 22) (D) was presented. After in silico analysis, Brazilian Army Institute of Biology (IBEx-RJ) tested samples in house using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (fast mode) based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. First cases from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, IBEx, and diagnosis team were reported in D36, D44, D66, and D74 respectively. Therefore, after 1300 tests, we recommend N1/N2 primer sets (CDC) for preliminary and Charité protocol confirmation in case of positive results. Moreover, every professional should be tested before starting work, in addition to weekly tests for everyone involved.

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic diary: from rumors to the first case. Early reports of molecular tests from the military research and diagnostic institute of Rio de Janeiro

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) presents a serious threat to global health. A historical timeline of early molecular diagnostics from government alert (January 22) (D) was presented. After in silico analysis, Brazilian Army Institute of Biology (IBEx-RJ) tested samples in house using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (fast mode) based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. First cases from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, IBEx, and diagnosis team were reported in D36, D44, D66, and D74 respectively. Therefore, after 1300 tests, we recommend N1/N2 primer sets (CDC) for preliminary and Charité protocol confirmation in case of positive results. Moreover, every professional should be tested before starting work, in addition to weekly tests for everyone involved.

Huge Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation, Venous Thromboembolism and Anticoagulation Treatment in a Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) usually presents in association with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). In addition, the incidence of venous thromboembolism tends to be increased in these patients. A 74-year-old female with HHT presented with cyanosis and hypoxemia. Contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomography (MSCT) revealed two left PAVMs and one in the right upper lobe. Both left PAVMs were treated with embolotherapy. Follow-up MSCT revealed an incidental pulmonary embolism in the right pulmonary branches. Deep venous thrombosis was confirmed and anticoagulation was initiated. Follow-up MSCT revealed the resolution of thromboembolism. Finally, embolotherapy was performed. This case illustrates the chronic adaptation to hypoxemia and adds further evidence to the relative safety of anticoagulation treatment in these patients.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and embolic complications in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) face higher risk of embolic complications. It is not clear whether poor outcomes are related to PAVM severity or pulmonary symptoms. Furthermore, there is currently no available data on HHT patients in Argentina. We conducted a cross sectional study in a teaching hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We describe baseline characteristics of HHT and compare the prevalence of embolic complications in patients with significant PAVM compared to patients without significant PAVM. One hundred and eight consecutive patients were included. Significant PAVM was defined as: contrast echocardiography grade 2 or greater; bilateral PAVM or feeding artery bigger than 3mm; or previous PAVM treatment. Primary composite outcome was defined as: cerebrovascular accident, cerebral abscess or peripheral embolism. 20% of participants had embolic complications, the most frequent one was stroke. Embolic complications were associated with significant PAVM and respiratory symptoms.