Autoimmunity in patients with inborn errors of immunity: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of systemic and organ-specific autoimmunity among individuals with human inborn errors of immunity (IEI). METHODS: Retrospective study. We recorded demographic variables, type of immunodeficiency, and systemic and organ specific autoimmunity. RESULTS: We included 48 patients (54.1% men) with mean age of 32.1 years. The most common IEIs included combined immunodeficiency with syndromic features (31.2%) and predominantly antibody deficiency (20.1%). We observed autoimmunity in 15 patients (31.2%): 12 organ-specific autoimmunity and 5 systemic autoimmunity, not mutually exclusive groups. Organ-specific autoimmunity preceded the onset of IEI in 5 patients, was concurrent in one patient, and developed after the diagnosis of IEI in 6 cases. From the systemic autoimmunity group, we observed polyarteritis nodosa (n = 2), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (n = 2), and overlap of limited systemic sclerosis/APS/Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1), and in all cases, this occurred after the IEI diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the coexistence of autoimmunity and IEI. This overlap may be attributed to B and T cell disorders, as well as potential alterations in the microbiota in these patients.

Performance of the 2023 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR Classification Criteria for Antiphospholipid Syndrome in a Mexican Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to assess the performance of the 2023 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria (2023 AECC) for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in a Mexican cohort. METHODS: We enrolled patients with primary APS (PAPS) and secondary APS (SAPS) and a control group of nonautoimmune thrombophilia. We evaluated the fulfillment of the 2023 AECC and the 2006 revised Sapporo classification criteria (2006 RSCC) and their performance against the clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. The baseline Global APS Score (GAPSS) and the Damage Index for APS (DIAPS) at last follow-up were calculated. RESULTS: We included 85 patients with PAPS, 54 with SAPS, and 50 with thrombophilia. According to the 2023 AECC criteria, 69 patients (81.2%) with PAPS, 28 patients (51.9%) with SAPS, and none of the patients with thrombophilia met the criteria. When comparing true positive (TP) (n = 69) versus false negative (n = 16) cases within the PAPS group, TP cases exhibited a higher frequency of thrombotic manifestations and IgM anti-cardiolipin and IgG anti-ß2-glycoprotein-I positivity. For PAPS, there was a correlation between the 2023 AECC score and both GAPSS (rho = 0.621, P < 0.0001) and DIAPS scores (rho = 0.433, P < 0.0001). When comparing the 2023 AECC with the 2006 RSCC, a lower sensitivity (81.2% vs 88.2%) but a higher specificity (100.0% vs 92.0%) was observed for PAPS. Similar findings were observed in SAPS. CONCLUSION: In both PAPS and SAPS, the 2023 AECC have higher specificity than the 2006 RSCC. The main feature of patients with PAPS according to the 2023 AECC was thrombosis. These criteria might identify patients at higher risk of thrombosis and damage accrual.

Coronary Artery Calcification Progression in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and associated risk factors in a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort. METHODS: We reassessed the presence of CAC in patients with SLE who were screened 9 years before, using multidetector computed tomography. Clinical variables (cumulated disease activity and damage accrual), antiphospholipid syndrome and SLE serology, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (hypertension, BMI [kg/m2], modified Framingham risk score, lipid profile, menopausal status) were assessed longitudinally. RESULTS: We included 104 patients from the parent study. Most of them were women (94.2%), with a mean age of 41.0 (SD 8.3) years and mean disease duration of 14.8 (SD 2.9) years. We documented CAC in 17 patients (16.3%). Seven cases were from the parent study and 10 were incident cases. The cumulative incidence of CAC was 9% and the incidence density was 1 per 100 person-years. CAC occurred more frequently in the age groups 30-39 years and 40-44 years. All patients with previous CAC had worsening of their calcium indexes, and none developed clinical CV events. When comparing prevalent CAC cases (n = 17) vs patients without calcification (n = 87), both groups were similar in traditional CV risk factors, disease duration, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) area under the curve (AUC), and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) score, but were more likely to be postmenopausal and have higher apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels. Patients with previous CAC had higher apoB levels, SLEDAI-2K AUC scores, and anticardiolipin IgG antibodies than incident cases. CONCLUSION: CAC in patients with SLE progressed over time but was not associated with adverse CV events during the first 9 years of follow-up. ApoB levels and postmenopausal status might be associated with this progression.

Beyond diagnosis: exploring the significance of IgG4+ plasma cell count through immunostaining in IgG4-related disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the grade of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration in biopsies is associated with clinical or serologic outcomes in IgG4-RD. METHODS: We included 57 patients with biopsy proven IgG4-RD according to the Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria and/or the 2019 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria. We collected histological, clinical (disease duration, phenotype, remission and relapses) and serological variables. RESULTS: 29 (50.9%) patients were men, mean age 49.9 years, with a median disease duration of 22 months. The distribution among clinical phenotypes were 14% pancreato-hepato-biliary, 12.3% retroperitoneal/aortic, 29.8% head and neck-limited, 29.8% Mikulicz/systemic and 14% undefined. Thirty-nine patients had a proliferative and 18 a fibrotic phenotype. Most biopsies were from lacrimal gland, lymph node, pancreas, orbit, kidney, retroperitoneum and thyroid gland. Thirty-nine (68.4%) patients had <100 IgG4+ plasma cells/HPF and 18 (31.6%) ≥100 IgG4+ plasma cells/HPF. Patients with ≥100 IgG4+ plasma cells/HPF were more likely to belong to the pancreato-hepato-biliary and the proliferative phenotypes, had fewer relapses and a higher remission rate. On multivariate analysis, the OR for remission at last follow-up was 6.7, 95% CI 1.1-4.42, p=0.03. The log-rank test showed a difference in relapse-free survival between the two groups (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.6, p=0.01). According to the ROC analysis, patients with more than 61 IgG4+ plasma cells were less likely to relapse. CONCLUSIONS: A count of ≥100 IgG4+ plasma cells/HPF may identify patients with a proliferative phenotype, fewer relapses and a higher remission rate.

Granulomatous Panniculitis as an Initial Manifestation of Sjögren Syndrome.

ABSTRACT: A 65-year-old woman presented with unexplained weight loss, recurrent fever, and a dermatosis with painful nodules on the extremities. Biopsies showed focal lobular panniculitis with neutrophilic microgranulomas. Comprehensive investigations ruled out infection and hematologic and solid organ neoplasms. Laboratory results showed anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibody positivity, and elevated inflammatory markers. Dry mouth and eye were confirmed. The diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome with cutaneous panniculitis was established. Prednisone treatment with 30 mg/d resulted in remission of fever and pain improvement. This case emphasizes Sjögren syndrome as an autoimmune disease with multiple cutaneous manifestations and highlights its association with granulomatous panniculitis.

Interactions between TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 gene polymorphisms in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate whether TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with susceptibility, severity, or serological markers in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Patients and methods: The cases and controls study was conducted between December 2021 and June 2022. TNFAIP3 rs10499194C/T, rs6920220G/A, and rs2230926T/G, PTPN22 rs2476601C/T and rs33996649G/A, and TRAF1-C5 rs10818488G/A polymorphisms were genotyped in 154 female pSS patients (mean age: 45.2±6.8 years) and 313 female control subjects (mean age: 50.3±7.5 years) using the TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay. An association analysis between TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 SNPs and susceptibility, clinical characteristics, and serological markers of pSS was performed. Interactions between TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 SNPs were also evaluated in patients and controls. Results: The genotype and allele frequencies showed no association with susceptibility, severity, or serological markers of pSS. Nevertheless, several interactions between TNFAIP3 and TRAF1-C5 or TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 genotypes were associated with susceptibility to pSS (p<0.01). Conclusion: Individual TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 SNPs are not associated with susceptibility, severity, or serological markers of pSS. However, genetic interactions between TRAF1-C5 and TNFAIP3 or TNFAIP3, PTPN22, and TRAF1-C5 SNPs are risk factors for pSS.

Performance of the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Classification Criteria for IgG4-Related Disease in a Latin American Cohort.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Classification Criteria (2019 AECC) for IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is considered a significant advancement in the study of this condition. Most studies evaluating their performance have focused on White and Asian patients, leaving a knowledge gap regarding Latin American populations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the performance of the 2019 AECC for IgG4-RD in a cohort of Latin American patients. METHODS: A multicenter medical records review study was conducted, involving centers from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Data on IgG4-RD patients and mimicker conditions were collected through a standardized online form. The criterion standard for diagnosing IgG4-RD was based on the fulfillment of the Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria for IgG4-RD and/or the Consensus Statement on Pathology. The 2019 AECC was retrospectively applied. RESULTS: We included 300 patients, with 180 (60%) having IgG4-RD and 120 (40%) having mimicker conditions. The 2019 AECC had a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 100%. Sensitivity increased to 73.3% when disease-specific autoantibody items were removed, without affecting specificity. The true-positive cases had more involved organs, a higher availability of biopsy results, and were more likely to belong to the Mikulicz/systemic and proliferative phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the 2019 AECC for IgG4-RD in a Latin American population confirms its high specificity in excluding those without the disease. The presence of concomitant autoimmune diseases and clinically nonsignificant disease-specific autoantibodies excludes a significant number of patients from fulfilling the criteria.

The meaning of non-criteria clinical manifestations in a real-life primary antiphospholipid syndrome cohort.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-criteria clinical features in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and to assess their relationship to thrombosis and damage. METHODS: We retrospectively included 177 primary APS patients, and/or patients who only achieved the serological Sydney criteria but had thrombocytopenia and/or haemolytic anaemia. We registered demographics, serology, treatment, thrombotic/obstetric manifestations and non-criteria clinical manifestations (cutaneous, haematologic, renal, heart valve disease, and neurological). We scored the DIAPS and a modified SLICC index. We used logistic regression and reported OR with 95% CI. RESULTS: 78% were women with a median follow-up of 6.7 years. Thrombosis was found in 74% of patients, 29.3% had obstetric features, and 64% had non-criteria clinical manifestations. The frequency of the non-criteria clinical manifestation was: haematologic 40.1%, cutaneous 20.9%, neurologic 18%, cardiac 5% and renal 4.5%. Non-criteria features were associated with LA (OR 2.3, 95% 1.03-5.1) and prednisone use (OR 8.2, 95% CI 1.7-39.3). A DIAPS score ≥1 was associated with thrombosis (OR 53.1, 95% CI 17.8-15.2), prednisone use (OR 0.27, CI 95% 0.09-0.83) and neurological involvement (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.05-39.8); whereas a modified SLICC ≥ 1 with thrombosis (OR 10.2; IC 95% 4.43-26.1), neurological involvement (OR 6.4, 95%CI 1.05-39.8), obstetric features (OR 0.32 CI 95% 0.12-0,81) and cutaneous features (OR 5.3, CI 95% 1.4-19), especially livedo reticularis (OR 5.45; IC 95% 1.49-19.8). CONCLUSIONS: Non-criteria clinical manifestations are common and associated with LA. Among them, neurologic involvement and the presence of livedo were associated with damage accrual.

Anticuerpos antifosfatidilserina/protrombina en pacientes con poliarteritis nodosa / Anti-Phosphatidylserine/Prothrombin antibodies in patients with Polyarteritis Nodosa

Antecedentes: Anticuerpos antifosfatidilserina/protrombina (aPS/PT) han sido descritos en poliarteritis nodosa (PAN) cutánea, en asociación con manifestaciones específicas. Objetivos: Determinar anticuerpos aPS/PT en pacientes con PAN y analizar su correlación con manifestaciones clínicas. Métodos: Estudio transversal comparativo de pacientes con PAN y 20 controles (10 con poliangitis microscópica [PAM] y 10 con enfermedad de Behçet [EB]). Se evaluaron variables demográficas, clínicas, serológicas y tratamiento; índices de pronóstico, actividad y daño. Se determinaron anticuerpos aPS/PT, anticardiolipina (aCL), anti-beta 2 glicoproteína 1 (anti-B2GP1) y anticoagulante lúpico (AL). Resultados: Fueron incluidos 14 pacientes con PAN, 11 (79%) mujeres, con duración de la enfermedad de 207 meses, y principalmente enfermedad inactiva. Sólo un paciente con PAN y uno con EB fueron positivos para aPS/PT IgG. El anticuerpo antifosfolípido más frecuente fue AL. Un paciente con PAM y uno con EB fueron positivos para aCL IgM; uno con PAM para anti-B2GP1 IgG, uno con PAN para anti-B2GP1 IgM. Conclusiones: Los anticuerpos aPS/PT son infrecuentes en pacientes con PAN inactiva de larga evolución.(AU)

Introduction: Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies have been described in cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) in association with specific manifestations. Objectives: To determine aPS/PT antibodies in patients with PAN and its correlation with clinical manifestations.Methods: Cross-sectional comparative study including PAN patients and 20 controls (10 Microscopic Polyangiitis [MPA] and 10 Behçet's disease [BD]). Clinical and demographic variables, treatment, serological markers, prognosis, activity and damage indexes were evaluated. aPS/PT, anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (anti-B2GP1) antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant (LA) were determined. Results: Fourteen patients with PAN were included, 11 (79%) women, with disease duration of 207 months, and mostly inactive disease. Only one patient with PAN and one with BD were positive for aPS/PT IgG. LA was the most frequent antibody identified. One patient with MPA and one with BD were positive for aCL IgM; one with MPA for anti-B2GP1 IgG, and one with PAN for anti-B2GP1 IgM. Conclusions: aPS/PT antibodies are not frequent in patients with longstanding inactive PAN.(AU)

Calidad de vida oral en pacientes con síndrome de Sjögren primario / Oral health-related quality of life in primary Sjögren's syndrome

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de vida general y oral, y sus correlaciones con el flujo salival no estimulado (FSNE) y los síntomas de xerostomía en pacientes con síndrome de Sjögren primario (SSP). MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron 60 pacientes con SSP y 60 controles pareados por género y ±3 años de edad. Se midió el FSNE y se aplicó cuestionario ESSPRI (Cuestionario reportado de síntomas en Síndrome de Sjögren de la Liga Europea contra el reumatismo [EULAR]). Se utilizó la versión corta de SF-36 para evaluar calidad de vida general, y para la calidad de vida oral el cuestionario XeQoLS; así como 8 preguntas para evaluar síntomas orales (dificultad al hablar, tragar, cantidad de saliva en boca, sequedad de boca, garganta, labios, lengua y nivel de sed) mediante escalas visuales análogas (EVA). RESULTADOS: Observamos peor calidad de vida general (menor puntuación SF-36), oral (mayor puntuación XeQoL) y mayor sintomatología evaluada por EVA en pacientes vs. controles. El XeQoL correlacionó con el FSNE (tau = −0,24, p = 0,008), el ESSPRI (tau = 0,45, p = 0,0001), las preguntas EVA 1-2 y EVA 5-8 y la escala SF-36 (tau = 0,28, p = 0,002). CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con SSP tienen peor calidad de vida general y oral que sujetos sanos. El FSNE contribuye en la calidad de vida oral y a su vez la calidad de vida oral impacta en la calidad de vida general. La intervención oportuna de terapia sintomática de xerostomía y la prevención de infecciones, caries y pérdida dental pudiera impactar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health-related quality of life, and correlate them with unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWSF) and oral sicca symptoms in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS). METHODS: We included 60 patients with PSS and 60 healthy controls matched according to gender and age (±3 years). We measured the UWSF and scored the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). We assessed the short version of the SF-36 as a generic measurement of HRQoL and the Xerostomia Quality of Life Scale (XeQoLS) questionnaire to evaluate oral quality of life. We evaluated oral symptoms using an 8-item Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire. RESULTS: We observed a poorer HRQoL (lower scores in SF-36) and oral quality of life (higher scores in XeQoLS), as well as a greater severity of symptoms in the VAS questionnaire upon comparing patients vs. controls. The XeQoL correlated with the UWSF (Tau = −0.24, P = .008), the ESSPRI (Tau =0.45, P = .0001), VAS 1-2 and VAS 5-8 and the SF-36 score (Tau = −0.28, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PSS had a poorer HRQoL and oral quality of life than controls. UWSF contributes to the oral quality of life which, in turn, has an impact on HRQoL. Symptomatic treatment of xerostomia as well as the prevention of infections, decay and tooth loss would help to improve the oral quality of life in these patients

Afección renal confirmada mediante biopsia y pronóstico en 13 pacientes hispanos con síndrome de Sjögren primario / Biopsy-proven renal involvement and prognosis in 13 hispanic patients with primary Sjögren syndrome

Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio fue describir una serie de casos de 13 pacientes hispanos con síndrome de Sjögren primario (SSp) y compromiso renal confirmado mediante biopsia. Métodos: Describimos las características clínicas, séricas e histológicas, y el pronóstico de un grupo de pacientes con SSp y compromiso renal confirmado mediante biopsia, tratados en 2 unidades nefrológicas de referencia de la Ciudad de México. Resultados: Se practicó biopsia renal (BR) a 13 pacientes con SSp, durante un período de 27 años. La mediana de duración entre el diagnóstico de SSp y la BR fue de 13,9 meses. Siete pacientes (54%) tenían glomerulonefritis y 6 (46%), nefritis tubulointersticial. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados con corticosteroides y/o inmunosupresores. Ocho pacientes (62%) permanecieron estables o con mejoría de su función renal en una mediana de seguimiento de 12 meses. Conclusiones: Esta serie de casos refleja el amplio espectro del daño renal en el SSp. Observamos que en nuestra población hispana, el involucro glomerular fue la alteración más frecuente, y en particular la glomerulopatía membranosa, seguida de la enfermedad tubulointersticial. La atrofia tubular y la fibrosis intersticial fueron también hallazgos comunes en la biopsia. El tratamiento con corticosteroides u otros agentes inmunosupresores parece disminuir la progresión de la enfermedad renal (AU)

Background: The aim of this study was to describe a case series of 13 Hispanic patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) and biopsy-proven renal involvement. Methods: We describe the clinical, serological and histological characteristics as well as the prognosis in a group of patients with pSS and biopsy-proven renal involvement, treated in 2 referral nephrology units in Mexico City. Results: Thirteen patients with pSS underwent kidney biopsy (KB) over a period of 27 years. The median duration from pSS diagnosis to KB was 13.9 months. Seven patients (54%) had glomerulonephritis and 6 patients (46%) had tubulointerstitial nephritis. All patients were treated with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Eight patients (62%) remained stable or their renal function improved after a median follow-up of 12 months. Conclusions: This case series reflects the broad spectrum of renal involvement in pSS. We observed that in our Hispanic population, glomerular involvement was the most frequent abnormality, mainly membranous glomerulopathy, followed by tubulointerstitial disease. Tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were also common biopsy findings. Treatment with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents appear to slow renal disease progression (AU)

Afección pancreática en el síndrome de sjögren / Sjögren's syndrome and pancreatic affection

El síndrome de Sjögren (SS) es una enfermedad autoinmunitaria que afecta principalmente a las glándulas exocrinas, aunque puede ocasionar también manifestaciones extraglandulares. Dada la similitud anatómica, fisiológica y patológica del páncreas y las glándulas salivales, se ha descrito que el páncreas no está exento del daño producido por el síndrome de Sjögren. Por esta similitud, algunos autores han estudiado la influencia del SS en el páncreas analizando los cambios histopatológicos, evaluando la función pancreática endocrina y exocrina (medición de enzimas pancreáticas séricas, prueba de excreción de ácido N-benzoil-L-tirosil-para-aminobenzoico, medición de elastasa, lipasa o tripsina), por la detección de anticuerpos específicos para páncreas (Ac. anticonductos), o mediante la realización de colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrógrada o estudios de imagen no invasivos (tomografía computarizada y ultrasonido). En el presente trabajo revisamos la literatura científica en relación con la prevalencia y el grado de afección pancreática en SS y discutimos sobre el diagnóstico diferencial con el síndrome linfoproliferativo multiorgánico(AU)

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting primarily the exocrine glands, leading to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and xerostomia, but that can also include extraglandular features1. Due the anatomical, physiological and pathological similarity between the pancreas and the salivary glands, it has been described that the pancreas it is not exempt from the damage produced by this syndrome. Some authors have assessed pancreatic involvement of SS by analyzing the histopathological changes, evaluating the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function (serum pancreatic enzymes, elastase, lipase or trypsin determinations, N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-para-aminobenzoic acid excretion test, etc), searching specific pancreatic antibodies (antiductal) or performing endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography or noninvasive imaging studies such as computed tomography or ultrasound. Herein we review the literature regarding the prevalence and type of pancreatic involvement in the SS and we discuss the differential diagnosis with multiorganic Lymphoproliferative Syndrome(AU)