Can the Dose of Belimumab be Reduced in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dose reduction in patients with SLE treated with belimumab (BEL) in Spain, analyze treatment modalities, and determine impact on control of disease activity. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal and multicentre study of SLE patients treated with BEL. Data on disease activity, treatments and outcomes were recorded before and after reduction (6-12 months), and they were compared. RESULTS: A total of 324 patients were included. The dose was reduced in 29 patients (8.9%). The dosing interval was increased in 9 patients receiving subcutaneous BEL and in 6 patients receiving intravenous BEL. The dose per administration was reduced in 16 patients.Pre-reduction status was remission (2021 DORIS) in 15/26 patients (57.7%) and LLDAS in 23/26 patients (88.5%). After reduction, 2/24 patients (8.3%) and 3/22 patients (13.6%) lost remission at 6 months and 12 months, respectively (not statistically significant [NS]). As for LLDAS, 2/23 patients (8.7%) and 2/21 patients (9.5%) lost their status at 6 and 12 months, respectively (NS). Significantly fewer patients were taking glucocorticoids (GCs) at their 12-month visit, although the median dose of GCs was higher at the 12-month visit (5 [0.62-8.75] vs 2.5 [0-5] at baseline). CONCLUSION: Doses of BEL can be reduced with no relevant changes in disease activity-at least in the short term-in a significant percentage of patients, and most maintain the reduced dose. However, increased clinical or serologic activity may be observed in some patients. Consequently, tighter post-reduction follow-up is advisable.

Comportamiento de la lepra en la provincia de camagüey, Cuba. Años 1977-2018 / No disponible

Se realizo un estudio longitudinal y descriptivo sobre el comportamiento de la Lepra en la Provincia de Camaguey teniendo en cuenta las diferentes etapas en la que se realizaron intervenciones con UMELISA-HANSEN y tratamiento profiláctico a aquellas personas que tenían resultados por encima de 0.300 y Pituda negativo y en la segunda etapa UMELISA-HANSEN por encima de 0.300 en dos oportunidades con intervalo de 6 meses. Los resultados del estudio demostraron que se necesita aplicar las técnicas avanzadas que permita detectar casos infectados no enfermos y con esto el corte de la cadena de transmisión para la erradicación de la enfermedad

A longitudinal and descriptive study was carried out on the behavior of leprosy in the province de Camaguey. The study considered the different stages in which interventions were carried out with UMELISA-HANSEN and prophylactic treatment was administered to those people who presented results over 0.300 and negative Mitsuda. A second stage considered UMELISA-HANSEN above 0.300 on two different occasions with a six months interval. The results of the study showed that advanced techniques need to be applied for the detection of infected cases hat are not sick and the transmission chain can be interrupted and the disease eradicated

Lepra infantil. Presentación de tres casos / No disponible

La lepra en la infancia cursa con una diversidad de manifestaciones clínicas e histopatológicas que hacen necesario un minucioso examen cutáneo en todo niño, que presente lesiones dermatológicas sugestivas y una fuente infecciosa sospechosa. Para un oportuno diagnóstico es indispensable que el medico tenga siempre presente la enfermedad, así como la destreza al realizar el examen clínico, ya que muchas lesiones cutáneas suelen ser asintomáticas y con frecuencia simulan otros cuadros dermatológicos. El rango de edad en el cual la población infantil se encuentra más afectada está dentro de los 10 y 15 años. En la infancia la lepra refleja características clínicas del adulto, guardando ciertas particularidades; las formas paucibacilar son más comunes entre los dos y nueve años y las formas multibacilares entre los 10 a 14 años. En Cuba han sido reportados desde agosto de 1989 hasta diciembre 2016 un total de 135 casos de Lepra en pacientes en edad pediátrica de los cuales 44 (32,6 %), han sido atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico Docente Juan Manuel Márquez. OBJETIVO: presentación clínica de tres casos de lepra infantil con formas clínicas diferentes. CONCLUSIONES: La lepra en la infancia cursa con una diversidad de manifestaciones clínicas e histopatológicas, que hacen necesario un minucioso examen cutáneo en todo nino, que presente lesiones dermatológicas sugestivas y una fuente infecciosa sospechosa. El mayor énfasis en la detección y vigilancia temprana de esta enfermedad se debe a que alguno de los niños que recientemente han sido diagnosticados ya mostraban signos de discapacidad

Leprosy in childhood presents a variety of clinical and histopathological manifestations that require a thorough skin examination in every child, presenting suggestive dermatological lesions and a suspicious infectious source. For a timely diagnosis it is essential that the doctor always keeps in mind the disease, as well as the knowledge for performing the clinical examination, since many skin lesions are usually asymptomatic and often simulate other dermatological conditions. The age range in which children are most affected is most affected is within 10 and 15 years. In childhood, leprosy reflects the clinical characteristics of the adult, keeping certain peculiarities; paucibacillary forms are more common between two and nine years old and multibacillary forms between 10 and 14 years old. In Cuba, a total of 135 cases of leprosy have been reported from August 1989 to December 2016 in pediatric patients, of which 44 (32.6%) have been treated at the Juan Manuel Marquez Teaching Pediatric Hospital. OBJECTIVE: clinical presentation of three cases of childhood leprosy with different clinical forms. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood leprosy has a variety of clinical and histopathological manifestations, which require a thorough skin examination in every child, presenting suggestive dermatological lesions and a suspicious infectious source. The greatest emphasis on the detection and early surveillance of this disease is due to the fact that some of the children who have recently been diagnosed already showed signs of disability

Lepra lepromatosa asociada a VIH/SIDA. Presentación de un caso / No disponible

El síndrome de inmunodeficiencia humana conocido por las siglas SIDA, y la lepra son enfermedades estigmatizadas por la sociedad lo que se debe, fundamentalmente al impacto social producido por dichas entidades. La lepra ha afligido a la humanidad desde tiempos inmemorables. Se trata de un paciente blanco, masculino, de 24 años de edad, con antecedentes de ser VIH positivo, que marcó SIDA, desde hace aproximadamente cinco años, que acude a consulta por presentar lesiones nodulares de diferentes tamaños, localizadas en miembros superiores y en cara principalmente en la frente, pabellones auriculares y cejas, las cuales no pican ni duelen, algunas se encuentran exulceradas y tienen una evolución de aproximadamente un año. Al examen dermatológico se constata cuadro cutáneo diseminado, caracterizado por la presencia de nódulos eritematosos, con trastornos de la sensibilidad, en número y tamaños variables a nivel en miembros superiores y en cara principalmente en la frente, pabellones auriculares y cejas, algunos de los cuales presentan exulceraciones centrales y en otras costras hemáticas. Se constata además infiltración del rostro a nivel de los salientes, atrofia de la región tenar e hipotenar, nervios cubitales engrosados, no dolorosos, de forma simétrica y bilateral. Esta forma clínica suele presentarse en forma de placas, máculas, pápulas, nódulos, variables en número, de distribución simétrica y bilateral que pueden o no acompañarse de áreas con anestesia. Pueden afectarse numerosos nervios y la baciloscopía suele ser positiva. La infección por VIH/SIDA afecta la inmunidad celular mediada por linfocitos T CD4+. Los pacientes portadores de VIH/SIDA, al cual se le diagnostica lepra, pueden presentar síndrome inflamatorio de reconstitución inmunitaria tras iniciar el tratamiento

The human immunodeficiency syndrome known by the acronym AIDS, and leprosy are diseases stigmatized by society, which is mainly due to the social impact produced by these entities. Leprosy has afflicted humanity since time immemorial. We report a case of a white male patient, 24 years old, with a history of being HIV positive, and diagnosed of AIDS approximately five years ago who attended the clinic for presenting nodular lesions of different sizes. They were located in upper limbs and in face mainly on the forehead, ear pavilions and eyebrows. They do not itch or hurt; some are ulcerated and have an evolution of approximately one year. The dermatological examination shows disseminated cutaneous symptoms, characterized by the presence of erythematous nodules, with variable sensitivity disorders of the upper limbs and in the face mainly on the forehead, ear pavilions and eyebrows, some of which have central ulcerations and blood scabs. He also presented infiltration on the face, atrophy of the tenar and hypothenar region, thickened symmetrically and bilaterally but not painful ulnar nerves. This clinical type usually occurs in the form of plaques, macules, papules, nodules, variable in number with symmetrical and bilateral distribution that may or may not be accompanied by areas with anesthesia. Several nerves can be affected and the skin smear is usually positive. HIV/AIDS infection affects cell immunity mediated by CD4 + T cells. Patients with HIV/AIDS, who are diagnosed with leprosy, may present immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after starting treatment

Lepra bordeline lepromatosa que simula urticaria. Presentación de un caso / No disponible

La lepra se considera uno de los padecimientos más antiguos de la humanidad. Se ha dicho no sin razón que la lepra es una afección del cuerpo del paciente y de la mente de las demás personas. Se trata de un paciente blanco, masculino, 44 años de edad que acude con lesiones no pruriginosas en piel en forma de ronchas de varios meses de evolución que en su área de salud ha sido tratado y estudiado como una urticaria crónica. A pesar del tratamiento continua con las lesiones que se han exacerbado en las últimas dos semanas. Niega fiebre, decaimiento u otra sintomatología. Al examen dermatológico se constata cuadro cutáneo diseminado, caracterizado por placas infiltradas de aspecto urticariforme de tamaño entre 1 y 5 cm, número variable que asentaban en tronco, región interescapular y porciones proximales de los miembros, con zonas de hipoestesia intra y perilesional, se palpan nervios cubitales engrosados, no dolorosos, de forma simétrica y bilateral. Es de particular importancia el conocimiento de esta enfermedad para los médicos porque las diferentes respuestas del huésped plantean un problema diagnóstico desafiante, lo cual provoca innegables dificultades en su detección debido a su diversidad de expresiones clínicas y su baja prevalencia, que contribuye a que especialistas poco entrenados puedan hacer diagnósticos erróneos, pues no piensan en la lepra como un posible diagnóstico

Leprosy is considered one of the oldest diseases suffered by humanity. It has been said not without reason that leprosy is a condition of the patient’s body and the mind and thoughts of other people. This is a report of a 44-yearold white, male patient who attended the clinic with non-pruritic skin lesions in the form of hives of several months of evolution that in his health area has been treated and studied as a chronic urticaria. Despite ongoing treatment during the last two weeks, the lesions continued exacerbated. The patient refers no fever, fatigue or other symptoms. The dermatological examination revealed disseminated cutaneous symptoms, characterized by infiltrated urticariform plaques between 1 and 5 cm in size and located on the trunk, interscapular region and proximal portions of the limbs, with areas of intra and perilesional hypoaesthesia, palpated thickened symmetrically and bilaterally but not painful ulnar nerves. Of particular importance is the knowledge needed by the doctor concerning this disease because the different responses of the host pose a challenging diagnostic problem. There are also diagnostic difficulties due to its clinical spectrum and low prevalence. Medical personnel poorly trained in leprosy can make wrong diagnostic decisions

Eficacia de la rifampicina como proláctico en contactos de primer orden de lepra. Municipio Camagüey, Cuba / No disponible

Se realizó una investigación observacional descriptiva prospectiva con el objetivo de determinar la eficacia del uso de la rifampicina como tratamiento profiláctico en los contactos de primer orden de los casos de lepra en el municipio Camagüey, durante los años 2000 al 2010. Predomino el grupo de 40 a 49 años, sin diferencias significativas en cuanto al sexo. En más de la mitad de los contactos el per cápita familiar fue malo y tenían hacinamiento. La madre resultó ser la fuente de infección más probable, con más de 10 años de convivencia con los contactos en la mayoría de los casos. Un mínimo por ciento de los contactos desarrolló lepra, con serología UMELISA HANSEN reactiva y examen dermato-neurológico con lesiones sugestivas de la enfermedad y uno solo con baciloscopia positiva. Los enfermos presentaron lepra paucibacilar, dentro de esta, la indeterminada. Se concluyó que la quimioprofilaxis con rifampicina en dosis única no fue totalmente efectiva

A prospective, descriptive, observational investigation was carried out with the aim of determining the effectiveness of the use of the rifampicin as a preventive treatment in household contacts of leprosy in Camagüey city, from 2000 to 2010. The majority of the contacts were in the age group from 40 to 49 years, without significant gender differences. In more than half of the contacts, the family income rate was poor and they lived in harsh conditions. In the majority of cases, the mother turned out to be the source of infection. A very small percent of the contacts developed leprosy, with positive ELISA serology and dermal - neurological examination with suggestive lesions of the illness and only one case with positive skin smear. The affected individuals presented indeterminate leprosy a form of paucibacillary leprosy. The study concluded that Chemoprophylaxis with only one dose of rifampicin was not totally effective

Lepra histioide. Presentación de un caso / No disponible

La lepra ictioideo es una forma rara multibacilar de lepra, en la que las lesiones cutáneas aparecen como grandes pápulas amarillo rojizas, brillantes y nódulos en la dermis y tejido celular subcutáneo. Las lesiones aparecen sobre la piel normal. Varían en un diámetro de I mm a 15 mm y pueden aparecer en cualquier localización, pero preferentemente en glúteos, zona lumbar, cara y prominencias Oseas. Este patrón puede aparecer de novo o en pacientes con resistencia a la dapsona. Se trata de un paciente negro, masculino de 64 años de edad, que acude a consulta refiriendo que desde hace algunos años presenta lesiones en piel que describe como bolitas que le picaban mucho localizadas en región lumbar en número de siete. En una ocasión se le realizo biopsia de piel que describe lesiones de Xantomas, y sugieren nueva toma de muestra. El paciente no volvió a acudir a consulta, hasta hace 3 meses que regreso refiriendo aparición de nuevas lesiones ahora en miembros superiores, inferiores y tronco. Al examen dermatológico se constata cuadro cutáneo diseminado constituido por múltiples lesiones papulosas y nodulares, eritematosas, de tamaños variados, en número de mas de una veintena que asientan en miembros superiores, tronco y en miembros inferiores en menor cuantía. Se constata disestesia de algunas lesiones nodulares. Se practica biopsia de piel que informa compatible con lepra histioide. Esta forma clínica se ha presentado en lepromatosos que aparentemente curados con monoterapia, suspendieron prematuramente el tratamiento, aunque se han descrito algunos casos como forma inicial de esta enfermedad

Histoid leprosy is a rare multibacillary form of leprosy, in which the cutaneous lesions appear as large reddish yellow, bright papules and nodules in the dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue. The lesions appear on normal skin. They vary in diameter from I mm to 15 mm and can appear in any location, but preferably in the buttocks, lumbar area, face and bony prominences. This pattern may appear de novo or in patients with dapsone resistance. This is a 64-year-old male black patient, who comes to the clinic saying that for some years he has had skin lesions that he describes as balls that stung him very much, located in the lumbar region in number seven. On one occasion he underwent a skin biopsy that described Xanthoma lesions, and suggested a new shot. The patient did not return to consult, until 3 months ago he returned referring to the appearance of new lesions now on upper, lower and trunk members. The dermatological examination revealed a disseminated cutaneous plaque consisting of multiple papular and nodular, erythematous lesions of varying sizes, in a number of more than twenty that settle on the upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs in lesser amounts. Dysesthesia of some nodular lesions is observed. A skin biopsy is performed, which is compatible with histoid leprosy. This clinical form has been presented in lepromatous patients who apparently were cured with monotherapy, prematurely discontinued the treatment, although some cases have been described as the initial form of this disease

Rapid detection of enterobacteriaceae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases directly from positive blood cultures by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

Bacteria that produce extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) are an increasing healthcare problem and their rapid detection is a challenge that must be overcome in order to optimize antimicrobial treatment and patient care. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has been used to determine resistance to ß-lactams, including carbapenems in Enterobacteriaceae, but the methodology has not been fully validated as it remains time-consuming. We aimed to assess whether MALDI-TOF can be used to detect ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae from positive blood culture bottles in clinical practice. In the assay, 141 blood cultures were tested, 13 of them were real bacteraemias and 128 corresponded to blood culture bottles seeded with bacterial clinical isolates. Bacteraemias were analysed by MALDI-TOF after a positive growth result and the 128 remaining blood cultures 24 h after the bacterial seeding. ß-lactamase activity was determined through the profile of peaks associated with the antibiotics cefotaxime and ceftazidime and its hydrolyzed forms. Clavulanic acid was added to rule out the presence of non-ESBL mechanisms. Overall data show a 99% (103 out of 104) sensitivity in detecting ESBL in positive blood cultures. Data were obtained in 90 min (maximum 150 min). The proposed methodology has a great impact on the early detection of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae from positive blood cultures, being a rapid and efficient method and allowing early administration of an appropriate antibiotic therapy.