Case report: Novel variants in RELA associated with familial Behcet's-like disease.

RELA haploinsufficiency is a recently described autoinflammatory condition presenting with intermittent fevers and mucocutaneous ulcerations. The RELA gene encodes the p65 protein, one of five NF-κB family transcription factors. As RELA is an essential regulator of mucosal homeostasis, haploinsufficiency leads to decreased NF-κB signaling which promotes TNF-driven mucosal apoptosis with impaired epithelial recovery. Thus far, only eight cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report four families with three novel and one previously described pathogenic variant in RELA. These four families included 23 affected individuals for which genetic testing was available in 16. Almost half of these patients had been previously diagnosed with more common rheumatologic entities (such as Behcet's Disease; BD) prior to the discovery of their pathogenic RELA variants. The most common clinical features were orogenital ulcers, rash, joint inflammation, and fever. The least common were conjunctivitis and recurrent infections. Clinical variability was remarkable even among familial cases, and incomplete penetrance was observed. Patients in our series were treated with a variety of medications, and benefit was observed with glucocorticoids, colchicine, and TNF inhibitors. Altogether, our work adds to the current literature and doubles the number of reported cases with RELA-Associated Inflammatory Disease (RAID). It reaffirms the central importance of the NF-κB pathway in immunity and inflammation, as well as the important regulatory role of RELA in mucosal homeostasis. RELA associated inflammatory disease should be considered in all patients with BD, particularly those with early onset and/or with a strong family history.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of the CARRA Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the United States and to determine patient factors associated with medication use. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional baseline enrollment data from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry from May 2010 through May 2011 for children with JIA. Current and prior medication use was included. We used parsimonious backward stepwise logistic regression models to calculate OR to estimate associations between clinical patient factors and medication use. RESULTS: We identified 2748 children with JIA with a median disease duration of 3.9 years from 51 US clinical sites. Overall, 2023 (74%) had ever received a nonbiologic DMARD and 1246 (45%) had ever received a biologic DMARD. Among children without systemic arthritis, methotrexate use was most strongly associated with uveitis (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.6-7.6), anticitrullinated protein antibodies (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-12), and extended oligoarthritis (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.5-6.6). Among children without systemic arthritis, biologic DMARD use was most strongly associated with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarthritis (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.9-6.6), psoriatic arthritis (PsA; OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.0-4.4), and uveitis (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.1-3.7). Among children with systemic arthritis, 160 (65%) ever received a biologic DMARD; tumor necrosis factor inhibitor use was associated with polyarthritis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 3.8-16), while interleukin 1 inhibitor use was not. CONCLUSION: About three-quarters of all children with JIA in the CARRA Registry received nonbiologic DMARD. Nearly one-half received biologic DMARD, and their use was strongly associated with RF-positive polyarthritis, PsA, uveitis, and systemic arthritis.

Cutaneous vasculitis as a paraneoplastic syndrome in childhood.

INTRODUCTION: In children, vasculitis as a paraneoplastic syndrome has never been reported before. In this work we report a vasculitis syndrome as a neoplasm onset manifestation in a child and we discuss our case regarding the data from literature. CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old girl presented with hand and foot ulceration, fixed cyanosis and pallor. During investigation, a central nervous system (CNS) rhabdomyosarcoma with metastasis on multiple sites was diagnosed. DISCUSSION: Rhabdomyosarcomas represent 5 to 8% of child neoplasms, although the CNS seldom is the primary site. In the indexed English language literature there were no published cases of vasculitis associated with rhabdomyosarcoma as a paraneoplastic syndrome in childhood, which suggests that the described report is the first being published. Awareness of this possible coexistence could allow to an earlier diagnosis of neoplasms expressed by vasculitis, leading to an earlier treatment and a longer survival.

Edema hemorrágico agudo da infância: uma variante da púrpura de Henoch-Schõnlein? / Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy: a variant of Henoch-Schõnlein purpura?

O edema hemorrágico agudo da infância (EHAI) é uma vasculite leucocitoclástica rara, com aproximadamente 100 casos descritos na literatura de língua inglesa. As lesões cutâneas características são púrpuras palpáveis, que se localizam em face, orelhas e extremidades, e lembram a figura de um medalhão. É uma vasculite de pequenos vasos, característica de crianças menores de dois anos de idade. Na maioria das vezes, tem curso autolimitado e benigno, apesar da aparência das lesões. Relatamos o caso de uma lactente, que iniciou edema de mãos e pés, lesões purpúricas na face e febre, e comparamos a outros já descritos, de acordo com a revisão da literatura acerca do assunto. A raridade da doença pode estar associada ao subdiagnóstico ou ao diagnóstico equivocado de púrpura de Henoch-Schõnlein (PHS). EHAI é precedido na maioria dos casos por infecções, imunizações ou drogas. O envolvimento de mucosas e vísceras raramente ocorre. Nenhum tratamento é recomendado atualmente. O alerta para essa vasculite tem como objetivo auxiliar o diagnóstico, tornando-o mais precoce, e evitar tratamentos e preocupações desnecessárias.

Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy (AHEI) is a rare leukocytoclastic vasculitis and there are around 100 cases described in the English language literature. The typical cutaneous lesion is a palpable purpura localized on the face, ears, and extremities and resembles a medallion. It is a vasculitis of small vessels, mainly seen in children less than 2 years of age. It is usually self-limited and benign, despite its appearance. We report a case of an infant who presented with swelling of hands and feet, purpuric lesions on face and fever, and compare with other previously described cases, accordingly to the literature review. The rarity may be associated with underdiagnosis or mistaken diagnosis of Henoch-Schõnlein purpura. AHEI is preceded in the majority of cases by infections, immunizations or drugs. Mucosal and visceral involvement is seldom seen. No treatment is currently recommended. The alert for this vasculitis aims to help the diagnosis, making it earlier and preventing unnecessary concern and treatment.