ABSTRACT
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by unexplained fatigue that lasts for at least 6 months with a constellation of other symptoms. Most cases start suddenly, and are usually accompanied by a flu-like illness. It is a symptom-based diagnosis of exclusion, the pathogenesis of which is unknown. Studies have examined and hypothesized about the possible biomedical and epidemiologic characteristics of the disease, including genetic predisposition, infections, endocrine abnormalities, and immune dysfunction and psychological and psychosocial factors. Recently, the AISA (autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants) syndrome was recognized, indicating the possible contribution of adjuvants and vaccines to the development of autoimmunity.
Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/adverse effects , Autoimmune Diseases/chemically induced , Bacterial Infections/complications , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/immunology , Virus Diseases/complications , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/genetics , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/therapy , Humans , Life Style , Vaccines/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy has been revolutionized in recent years following the introduction of three main anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (anti-TNF) agents, infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. Evidence in the literature indicates that patients treated with anti-TNF agents are at increased risk for bacterial infections, but it is not clear if this is a result of the treatment or of disease severity. The treatment has been recognized as a clear risk factor for reactivation of latent TB infections. So far, observational studies have not indicated any increased overall risk of cancer in RA patients treated with anti-TNF. The overall risk of lymphoma in these patients does not appear to differ greatly from that recorded among untreated patients, but rather is associated with the degree of disease activity rather than the type of therapy. There is a consensus in the literature that the likelihood of drug survival with infliximab is inferior to both adalimumab and etanercept, mostly due to increased risk of infection or allergic reactions. Due to the lack of head to head studies, there is no agreement as to which agent has the highest rates of treatment response and disease remission.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors , Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects , Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Humans , Infections/etiology , Neoplasms/etiology , RiskABSTRACT
Obstruction of urine outflow can result from mechanical blockade as well as from functional defects. In adults, urinary tract obstruction is due mainly to acquired defects, such as pelvic tumors, calculi, and urethral stricture. In childhood it is mostly due to congenital malformations. In this article we present two rare cases of acute obstructive renal failure that presented with hydronephrosis. These cases underline the wide range of causes that may lead to this clinical feature.