Reduction of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and bloodstream infections by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Objective: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is routinely administered to patients with rheumatic diseases in Japan. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of TMP/SMX prophylaxis on PJP and non-central line-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients receiving high-dose glucocorticoids for the treatment of rheumatic diseases.Method: This study enrolled patients who were admitted between 1 October 2003 and 31 March 2018 and began high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for rheumatic diseases during hospitalization. The observation period was 4 months from the commencement of high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. The effect of TMP/SMX prophylaxis on PJP and non-central line-associated BSI was analysed.Results: Of the 437 patients included in the study, 376 received TMP/SMX prophylaxis and 61 patients did not. During the observation period, TMP/SMX prophylaxis was discontinued in 76 patients (20.2%). Three PJP cases (0.7%) occurred. Among the 399 patients included in our analysis of non-central line-associated BSI, eight experienced non-central line-associated BSI (2.0%). Among the covariates, TMP/SMX prophylaxis was associated with reduced PJP and non-central line-associated BSI incidence [odds ratio (OR) 0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00-0.38, and OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.42, respectively].Conclusion: Routine TMP/SMX prophylaxis reduced the incidence of both PJP and BSI in patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing high-dose glucocorticoid therapy.

Simple dose-escalation regimen for hydroxychloroquine-induced hypersensitivity reaction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus enabled treatment resumption.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-induced hypersensitivity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to propose a simple dose-escalation regimen in cases of mild HCQ-induced hypersensitivity. METHODS: We identified patients with SLE who started HCQ between 2009 and 2018 and cases of HCQ-induced hypersensitivity by reviewing the electronic medical charts. A simple dose-escalation regimen, starting at 40 mg/day with weekly increments of 40 mg/day to 200 mg/day, was used in patients with HCQ-induced hypersensitivity who did not require hospitalization or systemic steroid therapy. We then compared the clinical parameters of patients with and without HCQ-induced hypersensitivity and evaluated the success of our dose-escalation regimen. RESULTS: We enrolled 302 patients with SLE and identified 25 cases of HCQ-induced eruption (8.3%). The mean Naranjo score of these patients was 5.1 ± 1.4 (min 3, max 8), and all 25 patients received a 'possible' (9) or 'probable' (16) score. A mild, generalized, maculopapular rash occurred in 24 patients, and urticaria occurred in one patient at 24 days (interquartile range 15-40 days) after the start of treatment. The proportion of cyclophosphamide use, glucocorticoid consisting of prednisolone 20 mg/day or more, and initiation of SMX-TMP within 28 days were higher in patients with skin eruptions. On multivariate analysis, only cyclophosphamide use was identified as a risk factor of HCQ-induced hypersensitivity (odds ratio = 12.3 (95% confidential interval 1.4-14.3)). Thirteen of the 14 patients on the dose-escalation regimen (92.9%) tolerated continued HCQ treatment. One patient re-experienced eruptions on day 10 day after starting HCQ. CONCLUSIONS: Mild late reactions are common in HCQ-induced hypersensitivity. A simpler dose-escalation regimen enables safe and easier reintroduction of HCQ but should not be applied to patients with immediate reactions or moderate late reactions.

The use of muscle biopsy in the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels: a prospective evaluation in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the use of muscle biopsy for histopathological confirmation of small vessel vasculitis (SVV) or medium vessel vasculitis (MVV). METHOD: Muscle biopsies were performed for all consecutive cases of suspected SVV or MVV seen at Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Centre between February 2012 and May 2014 except those for which a skin or renal biopsy was indicated. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients underwent muscle biopsies. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Diagnosis of SVV or MVV was made in 35 patients. An unrelated condition was diagnosed in 11 patients and no diagnoses were made in three patients. Of the 35 patients in whom SVV or MVV was diagnosed, positive muscle biopsies were obtained in 20 patients [15 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), three polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and two eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)], while other findings led to the same diagnosis in 15 (seven MPA, four GPA, three PAN, and one rheumatoid vasculitis). The sensitivity of the muscle biopsy was 57% [20/35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 50-57]. Of 13 patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy, the muscle biopsy demonstrated vasculitis in nine patients, with 75% sensitivity (9/12; 95% CI 69-75). There were no complications in the procedure apart from delayed wound healing in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle biopsy is a safe method that offers a high diagnostic yield for SVV or MVV, especially in patients with vasculitic neuropathy.

Effects of Hydroxychloroquine in Patients With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), in a phase III clinical trial conducted in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial. This was a baseline-controlled study, and the group differences were evaluated in an exploratory analysis. A total of 103 patients with active CLE (according to a Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index [CLASI] activity score of ≥4) were included. Patients were randomized 3:1 to receive HCQ or placebo during the 16-week double-blind period, and all patients were given HCQ during the following 36-week single-blind period. The primary efficacy end point was a reduction in the CLASI activity score at week 16. The secondary end points included the central photo evaluation (5-point scale), patient's global assessment (7-point scale), the Skindex-29 score, and investigator's global assessment (7-point scale, based on the other 3 secondary end points). In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, fatigue and musculoskeletal pain were assessed. Safety was assessed up to week 55. RESULTS: The mean CLASI score at week 16 was significantly improved from baseline in both the HCQ group and the placebo group: mean change -4.6 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -6.1, -3.1) (P < 0.0001), and mean change -3.2 (95% CI -5.1, -1.3) (P = 0.002), respectively, without between-group difference (P = 0.197). The investigator's global assessment demonstrated a greater proportion of "improved" and "remarkably improved" patients in the HCQ group (51.4% versus 8.7% in the placebo group [P = 0.0002 between groups]). The other secondary end points supported the efficacy of HCQ. Cellulitis, drug eruption, hepatic dysfunction, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome were shown to be serious adverse events related to HCQ use. CONCLUSION: The results of this randomized clinical trial support the efficacy and tolerability of HCQ in patients with CLE.

Protective effect of glycerol against the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity of lyophilized quality-control serum.

We studied the effectiveness of glycerol or ethylene glycol in preventing the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity of lyophilized or refrigerated quality-control serum after reconstitution or repeated freezing and thawing. Control serum reconstituted completely from the lyophilized state with subsequent storage at -20 degrees C showed a considerable decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity immediately after thawing, and a gradual increase in activity on allowing it to stand at room temperature. Adding glycerol or ethylene glycol to the reconstituted serum obviated these changes in activity, glycerol being more effective than ethylene glycol. Reconstituted serum with added glycerol maintained maximum activity before refrigeration during either storage for 30 days or on repeated freezing and thawing. Practical applications of this glycerol-supplemented control serum are discussed.