[Chronic hepatitis B in rheumatic diseases: issues of screening and reactivation of infection: A review].

Patients with rheumatic diseases infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are difficult to manage not only due to the presence of risk factors for the development and rapid progression of liver cirrhosis, but also due to the likelihood of reactivation of this infection. Despite the successes achieved in the fight against HBV, the virus cannot be completely defeated due to the presence of hidden forms of the disease, escaping the field of vision of a rheumatologist and an infectionist. Based on the results of the analysis of current publications, the paper presents the rationale for a complete immunological screening of patients with rheumatic diseases when prescribing antirheumatic therapy. The issues of the role of COVID-19 in the exacerbation of chronic viral hepatitis B, antiviral prevention and monitoring are discussed, the classification of antirheumatic drugs according to the risk of HBV reactivation is presented.

[Modern approaches to immunization of patients of rheumatologic profile].

Recently, the importance of comorbid infections in rheumatology has increased significantly, which have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality, especially in immuno-inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IIRD). In this regard, vaccination is becoming increasingly important in the prevention of infections in these patients. This review presents an updated version of the recommendations for vaccination of adult patients with IIRD, prepared by experts of the European Union League against Rheumatism (EULAR). There is a low (suboptimal) vaccination coverage of these patients, partly due to the low frequency of referral by doctors. The role of the rheumatology team in solving the problems associated with immunization of patients with IIRD is emphasized, as well as the importance of joint decision-making taking into account the needs and preferences of patients. The issues concerning the use of vaccines against influenza, pneumococcal infection, hepatitis B.

[Panniculitis in modern rheumatology].

AIM: To study clinical and laboratory features of panniculitis (Pn) in modern rheumatology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 690 patients with Pn (615 women and 75 men, average age 39.410.26) with the prevailing referral diagnosis of Erythema nodosum (59.2%), Pn (27.5%), Rheumatic disease Rd (9%), other diseases (4.4%),who had been on outpatient and/or inpatient treatment for 10 years. All patients were examined according to our diagnostic algorithm: general clinical, immunological and histological examinations, computed tomography of the chest organs, tuberculin tests. RESULTS: Pn with Rd was diagnosed in 140 patients (118 women and 22 men, average age 40.2114.87), average disease duration 31.06 [0.1; 541] months. In most cases (49%) patients had idiopathic lobular Pn which belongs to the group of systematic lesions of connective tissue (M35.6), as well as systemic lupus erythematosus and Behcet disease (13% each), rheumatoid arthritis (8%), dermatomyositis (6.4%), etc. Matching of the referral and final diagnoses was 35% in case of Rd. Among the examined patients prevailed those with a moderate (51.07%) degree of activity of the underlying disease. Within the study group Pn was represented by all forms, but mainly by nodular form (64.02%). Mesenteric form was characteristic only for idiopathic lobular Pn. The main features of Pn associated with Rd were identified. In modern clinical practice the type of Pn and the activity of the underlying disease determine the approaches to treatment.

[Idiopatic Lobular Panniculitis as a common clinical problem].

AIM: To present clinical and laboratory characteristics of various forms of idiopatic lobular panniculitis (ILP) in modern rheumatology practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 67 people (58 women and 9 men aged 20 to 76) with the referral diagnosis of "Erythema nodosa? Undifferentiated panniculitis?" in 76.2% of cases with a median disease duration of 78.91 [48; 540] months observed in the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology. In 2007-2017 in addition to general clinical examination immunological, histological and immunohistochemical studies, computed tomography (CT) of the chest organs and tuberculin tests were performed. RESULTS: Analysis of clinical manifestations allowed to distinguish four forms of ILP: nodular (n=30), plaque (n=10), infiltrative (n=15) and mesentric (n=12). The minimum median duration of the disease was detected in plaque form (8 [5; 11.5] months), while the median duration in case of infitrative form was 8.25 times longer (66 [36; 102] months, p38 °C and a small number (up to 5) of drain nodes; infiltrative - fever >38 °C, ulceration of nodes with the expiration of oily mass and scarring; mesenteric - pain in the abdominal area, the number of nodes less than 5 and the abdominal cavity CT results (inflammation of the adiopose tissue of the intestinal mesentery, omentum, adipose tissue of the pre - and retroperitoneal areas). CONCLUSION: The forms and activity of the disease determine the approaches to treatment in modern clinical practice. There is an obvious need to expand knowledge about this pathology among doctors and conduct further research in order to timely diagnose and search for the most effective methods of ILP treatment.

Panniculitis in rheumatology: features of course and outcomes.

AIM: The study of the course and outcomes of panniculitis (PN) in modern rheumatology practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We observed 209 patients (pts) (f-185, m-24 in age 17 to 80 years) with the input diagnosis "Erythema nodosum? Undifferentiated panniculitis?" and duration of illness in from 1 week to 25 years, observed in V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology in 2009-2016 years. Along with the general clinical examination, serological, immunological histological and immunohistochemical studies, CT scan of the chest, Doppler (Doppler ultrasound) of the veins of the lower extremities, tuberculin tests and consultations with doctors of other specialties were conducted. Outcomes were assessed after 1-6 years. RESULTS: In 23 pts a secondary character of PN was identified and discovered non-rheumatic underlying disease. Of the remaining 186 cases, the most frequent were pts with erythema nodosum (EN) (n=121), lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) (n=38) and panniculitis of Weber-Christian (PWCh)(n=18). For EN average age (AA) amounted to 38.9±12.6 years, the nodes the nodes were located symmetrically in 93% of cases on all surfaces of the lower and upper extremities (LUE). For LDS AA of the pts was 54±13 years, 68% of the pts noted the increase in the average body mass index (BMI), 79% - showed signs of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In 60% of the pts the items were located asymmetrically, localized mainly in the medial (92%) of the surface of the tibia (s). For PWCh AA amounted to 48.4 ± 17.6 years, seals were located on all surfaces of LUE and in 14 cases - on the trunk. CONCLUSION: To clarify the nature of PN it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive survey. The EN is characterized by symmetric defeat of all surfaces LUE more common in people of young age. A distinctive feature of LDS is asymmetrical lesions of the lower extremities in patients with increased BMI and signs of CVI. For PWCh seals are often localized on the trunk.

[Vaccination in rheumatology: Evolution of views on the problem]. / Vaktsinatsiia v revmatologii: évoliutsiia vzgliadov na problemu.

The problem of coinfections that are due to both a rheumatic disease (RD) itself and the need to use immunosuppressive drugs deserves apparent attention in modern rheumatology. Coinfections substantially affect morbidity and mortality rates, especially in diffuse connective tissue diseases. The data available in the literature on the above subject matter suggest that vaccination is a powerful method for prevention of infectious diseases that are the most important problem for patients with RD.

Infective Endocarditis: Current Approaches to Antibacterial Therapy.

The problem of infective endocarditis (IE) continues to maintain its importance because of the high mortality rate and severe complications. Modern IE is a polyetiologic disease, the onset and development of which may be due to the pathogens, components of an extremely extensive list, enlarging almost every year. The serious obstacles in the effective antimicrobial therapy refer to the growing resistance of the IE pathogens to antibiotics and the increasing etiologic role of the previously very rare infectious agents. Timely information of physicians about modern IE treatment methods is of great practical importance. The basic principles of antibiotic therapy of IE with taking into account the latest recommendations of the experts of the European Society of Cardiology (2015) are described.

[Joint Prosthetic Infection: UpDate Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment].

At present endoprosthetics of the joints is considered as a progressive and ever developing method in the surgical treatment of patients with affection of the locomotor system of any genesis. Hence, increasing of the number of endoprosthetic results in increasing of the number of patients with periprosthetic infection. Polymorphism of the clinical picture and inspecificity of the diagnostic tests often cause a delay in the diagnosis of the joint prosthetic infection (JPI) and consequently the late treatment. The contemporary data on the etiology, epidemiology, clinical picture and diagnosis of JPI are presented. The importance of cooperated treatment of JPI, i.e. combination of the surgical management and etiotropic antibacterial therapy is indicated. The choice of the concrete treatment method is defined by the patient state, comorbid pathology, the infection severity and duration.

[Acute rheumatic fever and infectious-inflammatory diseases of the pharynx: the relationship, treatment, and prophylaxis].

The relationship between pharyngeal infections, such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis, caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHSA) and acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a well-established fact confirmed by numerous studies carried out along the following lines: epidemiological, immunological, therapeutic, and prophylactic. The currently available data provide an opportunity to discuss the existence of «rheumatogenic¼ BHSA strains exhibiting a number of characteristic clinical and morphological properties. According to the current recommendations penicillins remain the means of first-line therapy for the treatment of acute forms of BHSA-induced tonsillitis and pharyngitis, whereas the macrolides should be applied only as the alternative medications in the patients with intolerance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This article contains characteristics of BHSA-carrier state and the principal indications for the prescription of antibiotics to the patients with these conditions. The key principle of secondary medicamental prophylaxis of acute respiratory infections are expounded along with the main fines of future research on the problems associated with BHSA-induced pharyngeal infections.

[Panniculitides in an internist's practice].

By panniculitides is meant a group of heterogeneous inflammatory diseases characterized by the involvement of subcutaneous adipose tissue. A diversity of their forms and variants of their course determines the need for careful patent examination to verify the diagnosis. The lecture gives a diagnostic algorithm and outlines principles in the differential diagnosis of panniculitides and its treatment approaches in current clinical practice.

[Pharyngeal A-streptococcal infection encountered in the practical work of an internal medicine specialist].

The problem of pharyngeal infections caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci of group A (BHSA) remains a challenge for both health providers and general medicine. The present paper was designed to provide the data suggesting the "reappearance" of a highly virulent BHSA infection and a rise in the frequency of its complications (such as acute rheumatic fever and toxic shock syndrome) and to substantiate the necessity of rational antibacterial therapy for the management of this pathology. The agents of choice for the treatment of acute forms of BHSA (tonsillitis and pharyngitis) include penicillins (amoxicillin, benzathine-penicillin, phenoxymethyl penicillin) and cephalosporins of the first generation (cephadroxyl) as well as macrolids (spiramycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin, midecamycin, josamycin) for the patients who do not tolerate beta-lactam antibiotics. Inhibitor-protected penicillins (amoxicillin, clavulanate) or cephalosporins of the second generations (cefuroxime-axetil) should be prescribed to the patients presenting with chronic recurring BHSA characterized by the rather high probability of colonization of the site of infection by beta-lactamase producing microorganisms. Lincosamine-derived antibiotics, such as lincomycin and clindamycin, are reserved for the patients with acute and chronic BHSA (tonsillitis and pharyngitis).

[Pneumonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the frequency of development, the specific features of its course and risk factors].

AIM: To study the frequency of development of pneumonia, the specific features of its course and risk factors (RF) in inpatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The archival records (a total of 9059 case histories) of patients with RA treated at the Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, during 7 calendar years (1994-1996, 2003-2006) were retrospectively studied. Case histories containing evidence for pneumonia sustained during the patient's hospital stay were selected for analysis. During the analysis, the authors took into account the clinical characteristics of RA, laboratory and X-ray parameters, and comorbidity, including pneumonia. RESULTS: In the inpatients, the frequency of development of pneumonia was 0.8%. The risk factors of pneumonia were the high activity of RA, its systemic manifestations and no use of essential antirheumatic drugs. In 70% of RA patients developing pneumonia, the body temperature was normal or subfebrile; productive cough was absent in 50% of the patients; a third had no cough. Clear X-ray lung tissue infiltration was seen in 48% of cases. Clinical leukocytosis was absent in 50% of the patients; at the same time, there were statistically significant increases in the count of stab neutrophils and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CONCLUSION: The inpatients with RA develop pneumonia in about 0.8% of cases, which is characterized by an obliterated course and usually develops with the high activity of RA, its systemic manifestations and no use of essential antirheumatic drugs.

[Infections and rheumatic diseases: a view of the problem in the beginning of XXI century].

The problem of infectious pathology is quite actual for state-of-the-art rheumatology. Various infectious agents take part in the development of rheumatic diseases (RD), playing a trigger role and launching immune mechanisms of inflammation. Besides, comorbid infection often complicates the RD course due to the immune status disorders connected with a background disease and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Treatment of such pathology is an important task. The main data on frequency and localization of infections in RD are represented. The authors also proved necessity of clinical researches with the aim of development of optimal antimicrobial therapy and prophylaxis of infections in RD patients.

[Heart rate variability in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation of various etiologies].

Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed on 24 hour Holter ECG recordings from 32 healthy persons and 54 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) of different etiology (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, rheumatic mitral valve disease, idiopathic AF) aged 45-73 years. Nocturnal, diurnal and 24 hour HRV was measured. Time and frequency domain HRV measures were lower in patients with AF and underlying heart disease compared with healthy persons and for most of the parameters with patients with idiopathic AF (p<0,05). Patients with idiopathic AF compared with healthy persons had higher values of high frequency power during nighttime (p<0.05), what reflected activation of parasympathetic nervous system in this category of patients.

[Present-day classification and nomenclature of rheumatic fever]. / Sovremennaia klassifikatsiia i nomenklatura revmaticheskoi likhoradki.

The paper presents a new classification of rheumatic fever, which has been adopted by the Plenary Session of the Association of Rheumatologists of Russia in May 2003. This classification envisages the abandonment of the term "rheumatism" in its former interpretation. The term "acute rheumatic fever" (ARF) appears to be more justified since it makes a physician elucidate its association with Group A streptococcal infection of the throat and prescribe antibiotics for eradication of this infection in its acute period (primary prophylaxis) and for prevention of repeated attacks (secondary prophylaxis). The current interpretation of the clinical syndromes/symptoms and laboratory parameters that enter into diagnostic criteria for ARF is presented. There are 2 types of outcome of the disease. In case of recovery, we are dealing with the complete regression of the clinical symptomatology of ARF, normalized laboratory parameters and no residual changes. Chronic rheumatic diseases of the heart are considered to mean a disease characterized by a cardiac valvular lesion as postinflammatory marginal fibrosis of valvular leaflets or cardiac abnormality (failure and/or stenosis) developed after prior ARF. Emphasis is laid on the significance of evidence of Group A streptococcal infection that precedes the development of the disease. Examples of clinical diagnosis in accordance with the terminology of the International Classification of Diseases, the 10th edition, are given in the paper.

[Acute rheumatic fever: problems and outlooks]. / Ostraia revmaticheskaia likhoradka problemy i perspektivy.

The issue related with acute rheumatic fever still remains to be topical at the present stage, which is accentuated by a high prevalence of rheumatic heart diseases. The results of multiple studies point out at the presence of "rheumatogenetic" A-streptococcal strains possessing certain biological properties. Although there were no changes in the disease semiotics, the intensity degree of clinical signs went down, due to which an early diagnosis of the disease became more complicated. The issues related with the nosological classification of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis and with PANDAS syndrome need to be solved. There is also an urgent necessity in creating high-technological domestic benzathine-penicillins intended for secondary prevention of the disease.

[Nimesil effectiveness in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Effektivnost' nimesila pri revmatoidnom artrite.

Clinical efficiency and safety of nimesil were studied in the multicenter open clinical trial of 52 patients with verified rheumatoid arthritis. Nimesil was given for 12 weeks in a daily dose 200-400 mg in addition to basic therapy. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed after 4 and 8 weeks of the treatment and after its end. The treatment produced a significant positive response of the articular syndrome. Marked improvement was registered in 11 (23.4%) patients, improvement--in 33 (79.2%) patients. Side effects were reversible and occurred in 8 (15.3%) patients. In 5 patients the drug was withdrawn. The conclusion is made on high efficiency and good tolerance of nimesil in rheumatoid arthritis patients.