Comparison of late-onset and non-late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus individuals in a real-world electronic health record cohort.

Objective: Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (LO-SLE) is defined as SLE diagnosed at age 50 years or later. Current studies on LO-SLE are small and have conflicting results.Methods: Using a large, electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort of SLE individuals, we compared demographics, disease characteristics, SLE-specific antibodies, and medication prescribing practices in LO (n = 123) vs. NLO-SLE (n = 402) individuals.Results: The median age (interquartile range) at SLE diagnosis was 60 (56-67) years for LO-SLE and 28 (20-38) years for NLO-SLE. Both groups were predominantly female (85% vs. 91%, p = 0.10). LO-SLE individuals were more likely to be White than NLO-SLE individuals (74% vs. 60%, p = 0.005) and less likely to have positive dsDNA (39% vs. 58%, p = 0.001) and RNP (17% vs. 32%, p = 0.02) with no differences in Smith, SSA, and SSB. Autoantibody positivity declined with increasing age at SLE diagnosis. LO-SLE individuals were less likely to develop SLE nephritis (9% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) and less likely to be prescribed multiple classes of SLE medications including antimalarials (90% vs. 95%, p = 0.04), azathioprine (17% vs. 31%, p = 0.002), mycophenolate mofetil (12% vs. 38%, p < 0.001), and belimumab (2% vs. 8%, p = 0.02).Conclusion: LO-SLE individuals may be less likely to fit an expected course for SLE with less frequent positive autoantibodies at diagnosis and lower rates of nephritis, even after adjusting for race. Understanding how age impacts SLE disease presentation could help reduce diagnostic delays in SLE.

Immune Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Responses in Severe Asthma.

Severe asthma (SA) has heterogeneous inflammatory phenotypes characterized by persistent airway inflammation (eosinophilic and/or neutrophilic inflammation) and remodeling. Various immune cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages) become more activated and release inflammatory mediators and extracellular traps, damaging the protective barrier of airway epithelial cells and further activating other immune and structural cells. These cells play a role in autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways, where the adaptive immune system generates autoantibodies, inducing immunoglobulin G-dependent airway inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that adult asthmatics had high titers of autoantibodies associated with asthma severity, although pathogenic factors or diagnostic criteria are not well-defined. This challenge is further compounded by asthmatics with the autoimmune responses showing therapy insensitivity or failure to current pharmacological and biological treatment. This review updates emerging mechanisms of autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways and provides insights into their roles, proposing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SA.

Clinical profile and challenges faced in the management of optic neuritis: the Indian scenario.

PURPOSE: Optic neuritis (ON) is a relatively common ophthalmic disease that has recently received renewed attention owing to immunological breakthroughs. We studied the profile of patients with ON with special reference to antibody-mediated ON and the challenges faced in its management. METHODS: Case records of patients with ON presenting to a tertiary eye-care center in South India were analyzed. Data on demographics, presenting visual acuity (VA), clinical features, seropositivity for aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G (MOG-IgG), details of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of orbits and brain, and treatment were collected. RESULTS: Among 138 cases with acute ON, male: female ratio was 1:2. Isolated ON was present in 41.3% of cases. Antibody testing of sera was performed in 68 patients only due to financial limitations. Among these, 48.5% were MOG-IgG-seropositive, 11.76% were AQP4-IgG-seropositive, and 30.88% samples were double seronegative. Other causes included multiple sclerosis (n = 4), lactational ON (n = 4), tuberculosis (n = 2), invasive perineuritis (n = 2), COVID-19 vaccination (n = 2), and COVID-19 (n = 1). The mean presenting best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.31 ± 1.16 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). The mean BCVA at 3 months was 0.167 ± 0.46 logMAR. Only initial VA ≤ 'Counting fingers' (CF) had a significant association with the visual outcome for final VA worse than CF. The steep cost of investigations and treatment posed challenges for many patients in the management of ON. CONCLUSION: MOG-IgG-associated ON is common in India. Unfortunately, financial constraints delay the diagnosis and timely management of ON, adversely affecting the outcome.

Inflammation and autoimmunity are interrelated in patients with sickle cell disease at a steady-state condition: implications for vaso-occlusive crisis, pain, and sensory sensitivity.

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze inflammatory and autoimmune characteristics of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) at a steady-state condition (StSt) compared to healthy controls (HCs) to explore the pathogenesis of StSt and its impact on patients' well-being. The study cohort consisted of 40 StSt participants and 23 HCs enrolled between July 2021 and April 2023. StSt participants showed elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts and altered hematological measurements when compared to HCs. A multiplex immunoassay was used to profile 80 inflammatory cytokines/chemokines/growth factors in plasma samples from these SCD participants and HCs. Significantly higher plasma levels of 35 analytes were observed in SCD participants, with HGF, IL-18, IP-10, and MCP-2 being among the most significantly affected analytes. Additionally, autoantibody profiles were also altered, with elevated levels of anti-SSA/Ro60, anti-Ribosomal P, anti-Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and anti-PM/Scl-100 observed in SCD participants. Flow cytometric analysis revealed higher rates of red blood cell (RBC)/reticulocyte-leukocyte aggregation in SCD participants, predominantly involving monocytes. Notably, correlation analysis identified associations between inflammatory mediator levels, autoantibodies, RBC/reticulocyte-leukocyte aggregation, clinical lab test results, and pain crisis/sensitivity, shedding light on the intricate interactions between these factors. The findings underscore the potential significance of specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may hold promise for future investigations and clinical interventions tailored to the unique challenges posed by SCD. In addition, the correlations between vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC)/pain/sensory sensitivity and inflammation/immune dysregulation offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of SCD and may lead to more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05045820.

[A CASE OF CLINICALLY AMYOPATHIC DERMAMYOSITIS WITH INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE SHOWING TWO DETERIORATIONS IN 4 YEARS].

We report the case of a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed with clinically amyopathic dermamyositis (CADM) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) after presenting with skin lesions typical of CADM and testing positive for anti-Melanoma Diferentiation-Associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) anti-bodies. He was treated with a regimen including steroid pulse therapy, intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY), and calcineurin Inhibitor drug, which initially improved his ILD. However, three months post-treatment, the first deterioration of his conditions occurred, necessitating further administration of steroid pulse therapy and IVCY. After eight cycles of IVCY therapy, the serum levels of KL-6 and anti-MDA5 antibodies decreased, and reaching their lowest values. Nevertheless, two years and six months after the first observed deterioration, the second deterioration of his conditions occurred, leading to acute respiratory failure, treated again with steroid pulse therapy and IVCY. This treatment did not result in improvement of respiratory failure, therefore plasma exchange was attempted, which demonstrated a beneficial effect on the ILD for a short time. This case suggests that IVCY and plasma exchange might be effective therapeutic options for CADM with ILD.

'I Thought It Was My Diabetes': An Acute Presentation of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is an immune-mediated neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Patients typically present with sensory deficits, weakness, and incontinence. This is a case of a 43-year-old female with diabetes mellitus admitted for acute onset leg weakness and stool incontinence. Spinal MRI imaging revealed transverse myelitis, and her lab work was significant for an anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody titer of 1:2,560. Initial treatment consisted of a high-dose steroid taper and plasmapheresis. This unique case illustrates the importance in recognizing delayed presentations of rare neuroinflammatory conditions previously assumed to be a sequela of diabetic neuropathy.

Oral mucous membrane pemphigoid: updates in diagnosis and management.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare, immune-mediated, vesiculobullous disease that predominantly affects the oral cavity and conjunctiva. In MMP, autoantibodies are directed against hemidesmosomal proteins in the basement membrane zone, most commonly BP180. Clinical signs and symptoms include gingival desquamation, erosions, and ulcerations. Differential diagnoses include other immune-mediated blistering diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid. Definitive diagnosis is reached through history taking, physical examination, tissue biopsy and/or serology testing. MMP, although not curable, is typically managed with topical or systemic corticosteroids, in addition to immunosuppressive therapies and biologic agents in recalcitrant cases. Untreated MMP can lead to life-threatening complications, such as blindness. As a condition that affects the oral cavity, it is important that dentists understand how to recognise, diagnose and manage the disease.

The selective inhibition of the Syk tyrosine kinase ameliorates experimental autoimmune arthritis.

Autoimmune arthritis - such as rheumatoid arthritis - affect a significant proportion of the population, which can cause everyday joint pain, decreased mobility and reduced quality of life. Despite having more and more therapeutic options available, there are still a lot of patients who cannot reach remission or low disease activity by current therapies. This causes an urgent need for the development of new treatment options. The Syk tyrosine kinase plays an essential role in B cell receptor, Fc receptor and integrin signaling. It has been shown that the hematopoietic cell-specific deletion of Syk resulted in a complete protection against autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis. This prompted us to test the effect of entospletinib, a second generation, Syk-selective inhibitor, which has a tolerable safety profile according to hematological clinical trials, in experimental autoimmune arthritis. We found that entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the macroscopic signs of joint inflammation, while it did not affect the health status of the animals. In line with these findings, local neutrophil accumulation and cytokine levels were reduced compared to the vehicle-treated group, while macrophage accumulation and synovial fibroblast numbers were not significantly altered. Meanwhile, entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the cell responses of immune complex- or integrin ligand-activated neutrophils. Overall, we found that selective Syk inhibition by entospletinib reduced the activity of autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis, which seems to be based mainly on the effect of the inhibitor on neutrophil functions. Our data raise the possibility that entospletinib could be a good drug candidate in the treatment of human autoimmune arthritis.

Autoanticuerpos en neuropatías inflamatorias inmunomediadas / Autoantibodies in immune-mediated inflammatory neuropathies

Las neuropatías inflamatorias son un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades raras del sistema nervioso caracterizadas por la disfunción y el daño de diferentes estructuras de los nervios periféricos. Este grupo incluye el síndrome de Guillain-Barré, la polirradiculoneuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica, la neuropatía motora multifocal o las neuropatías asociadas a gammapatía monoclonal. La inmunopatogenia de estas enfermedades no es bien conocida, pero las células B y los autoanticuerpos parecen tener un papel clave en su desarrollo. Se han descrito autoanticuerpos dirigidos contra estructuras del nervio periférico como los gangliósidos, los anticuerpos dirigidos contra proteínas del nodo de Ranvier o la glucoproteína asociada a la mielina, que permiten identificar subgrupos de pacientes con fenotipos clínicos específicos asociados a dichos autoanticuerpos. Por todo ello, estos anticuerpos son de gran utilidad en la práctica clínica. Esta revisión se centra en la relevancia diagnóstica y terapéutica de los autoanticuerpos en las neuropatías inmunomediadas

Inflammatory neuropathies are a rare and heterogeneous group of diseases of the nervous system characterized by the dysfunction and damage of different structures of the peripheral nerves. This group includes Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy or neuropathies associated with monoclonal gammopathy. The aetiology of these diseases is unknown, but B cells and autoantibodies play a key role in their pathogenesis. Autoantibodies against peripheral nerve molecules such as gangliosides, proteins of the Ranvier node or myelin-associated glycoprotein have been described, allowing the identification of subgroups of patients with specific clinical phenotypes. For all these reasons, these antibodies are useful in clinical practice. This review focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of autoantibodies in inflammatory neuropathies

Artritis reumatoide: tus articulaciones como escenario de batalla entre tú y tus guerreros / No disponible

No disponible

Importancia de indicar e interpretar las pruebas de autoanticuerpos / Significance of Indicating and Interpreting Autoantibody Tests

La aceptación y la relevancia de los autoanticuerpos se evidencia por su creciente incorporación en los criterios diagnósticos y de clasificación de las enfermedades autoinmunes. Una de las preocupaciones actuales, derivadas del uso ampliado de los autoanticuerpos, es la conservación del uso adecuado, en contraposición con el uso indiscriminado que genera un aumento de resultados falsos positivos que conducen a costosos errores en el diagnóstico, seguimiento, e incluso, tratamiento del paciente. Este artículo intenta resumir las circunstancias en que es oportuno ordenar las pruebas de autoanticuerpos, y cómo interpretarlas para preservar su utilidad clínica y refrenar los gastos de salud(AU)

The acceptance and relevance of auto-antibodies is evidenced by their increasing incorporation into the diagnostic and classification criteria of autoimmune diseases. One of the current concerns arising from the widespread use of auto-antibodies is the observance of adequate use, as opposed to its undiscriminating use that results in an increase of false positive results leading to costly errors in diagnosis, follow-up, and even treatment of the patient. This article attempts to summarize the circumstances when it is timely to order autoantibody tests, and how to interpret them to preserve their clinical utility and control health expenditures(AU)

Autoanticuerpos como biomarcadores de actividad de la enfermedad del lupus eritematoso sistémico / Autoantibodies as biomarkers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Hay una necesidad urgente de biomarcadores que permitan identificar y predecir las fases de actividad del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) para optimizar el manejo clínico de los pacientes. De la centena de autoanticuerpos presentes en los pacientes con LES muy pocos son candidatos para biomarcadores de actividad clínica de la enfermedad y ninguno se ha establecido como criterio independiente para la toma de decisiones clínicas. Identificar las recaídas del LES es más arte que ciencia. Recientemente se ha señalado que la correlación positiva entre los niveles de autoanticuerpos y la actividad del LES puede estar subvertida por la presencia de autoanticuerpos protectores que se oponen al daño hístico que producen los autoanticuerpos patogénicos. Los anticuerpos anti-nucleosoma, anti-DNA de doble cadena y anti-C1q están asociados a la actividad de la enfermedad evaluada por varios sistemas de puntuación internacionales como el SLEDAI, ECLAM y BILAG, mayormente en estudios transversales. Estos biomarcadores resultan prometedores para el seguimiento clínico de pacientes con LES, pero aún necesitan la validación de estudios controlados multicéntricos de gran escala. Se hizo esta revisión para resumir los retos del descubrimiento y validación de los autoanticuerpos biomarcadores de actividad del LES en el marco de la complejidad funcional de los autoanticuerpos...

There is an urgent need for biomarkers to identify and predict activity phases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to optimize the patients clinical management. Out of hundreds of autoantibodies present in SLE patients, very few are candidates for biomarkers of clinical disease activity and none has been established as an independent criterion for clinical decision making. Identifying relapse of SLE is more art than science. It has recently been suggested that the positive correlation between autoantibody levels and SLE activity may be subverted by the presence of protective autoantibodies opposed to tissue damage produced by pathogenic autoantibodies. The anti-nucleosome, anti-dsDNA and anti-C1q antibodies are associated with disease activity assessed by several international rating systems such as the SLEDAI, BILAG ECLAM and, partly in cross-sectional studies. These biomarkers are promising for clinical monitoring of SLE patients, but they still need the validation of multi-scale controlled studies. This review was to summarize the challenges of discovery and validation of biomarkers of autoantibodies in SLE activity within the functional complexity of the autoantibodies...

Concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en hematíes y respuesta al tratamiento en la anemia hemolítica autoinmune / Concentration of IgG autoantibodies on red blood cells and response to treatment in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Introducción: no existen suficientes evidencias que relacionen la respuesta al tratamiento con el patrón de autoanticuerpos o su concentración en los hematíesde los pacientes con anemia hemolítica autoinmune. Objetivo: en este trabajo se investigó la asociación entre la respuesta al tratamiento y la remisión de la enfermedad con la concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en los hematíes al inicio de la enfermedad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 44 pacientes adultos con anemia hemolitica autoinmune caliente idiopática por presencia únicamente de autoanticuerpos IgG donde se relacionó la respuesta al tratamiento con el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, la concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina y el conteo de reticulocitos. Resultados: no se observó asociación entre el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina, el conteo de reticulocitos y la cuantificación de IgG en los hematíes, con la respuesta al tratamiento con prednisona, la administración de tratamiento de segunda línea ni con la remisión de la enfermedad, aunque el número de moléculas de IgG por hematíe fue 1,4 veces superior en los pacientes sin remisión en relación con los casos con remisión de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina, el conteo de reticulocitos y la cuantificación de IgG en los hematíes al inicio de la enfermedad, no es un marcador pronóstico de respuesta al tratamiento

Introduction: there is not enough evidence that relates the response to treatment with the pattern of autoantibodies or their concentration on red blood cells in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Objective: to investigate the association of the response to treatment and the remission of the disease with the concentration of IgG autoantibodies on red blood cells at the beginning of the disease. Methods: a retrospective study in 44 adult patients with idiopathic warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia with only IgG autoantibodies was carried out in order to relate the response to treatment to the immunoprotein pattern of red blood cells, the IgG autoantibodies concentration on red blood cells, the hemoglobin level and the reticulocyte count. Results: association was not observed between the immunoprotein pattern, the hemoglobin level, the reticulocyte count and the quantitation of IgG on red blood cells, with the response to treatment with prednisone, administration of second-line treatment and the remission of the disease; although, the number of IgG molecules on red blood cells was 1,4 times higher in patients with no remission of the disease to those with remission. Conclusions: the immunoprotein pattern, the hemoglobin level, the reticulocyte count and the quantitation of IgG on red blood cells at the beginning of the disease are not a prognostic marker of the response to treatment

Concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en hematíes y respuesta al tratamiento en la anemia hemolítica autoinmune / Concentration of IgG autoantibodies on red blood cells and response to treatment in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Introducción: no existen suficientes evidencias que relacionen la respuesta al tratamiento con el patrón de autoanticuerpos o su concentración en los hematíesde los pacientes con anemia hemolítica autoinmune. Objetivo: en este trabajo se investigó la asociación entre la respuesta al tratamiento y la remisión de la enfermedad con la concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en los hematíes al inicio de la enfermedad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 44 pacientes adultos con anemia hemolitica autoinmune caliente idiopática por presencia únicamente de autoanticuerpos IgG donde se relacionó la respuesta al tratamiento con el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, la concentración de autoanticuerpos IgG en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina y el conteo de reticulocitos. Resultados: no se observó asociación entre el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina, el conteo de reticulocitos y la cuantificación de IgG en los hematíes, con la respuesta al tratamiento con prednisona, la administración de tratamiento de segunda línea ni con la remisión de la enfermedad, aunque el número de moléculas de IgG por hematíe fue 1,4 veces superior en los pacientes sin remisión en relación con los casos con remisión de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: el patrón de inmunoproteínas en los hematíes, las cifras de hemoglobina, el conteo de reticulocitos y la cuantificación de IgG en los hematíes al inicio de la enfermedad, no es un marcador pronóstico de respuesta al tratamiento(AU)

Introduction: there is not enough evidence that relates the response to treatment with the pattern of autoantibodies or their concentration on red blood cells in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Objective: to investigate the association of the response to treatment and the remission of the disease with the concentration of IgG autoantibodies on red blood cells at the beginning of the disease. Methods: a retrospective study in 44 adult patients with idiopathic warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia with only IgG autoantibodies was carried out in order to relate the response to treatment to the immunoprotein pattern of red blood cells, the IgG autoantibodies concentration on red blood cells, the hemoglobin level and the reticulocyte count. Results: association was not observed between the immunoprotein pattern, the hemoglobin level, the reticulocyte count and the quantitation of IgG on red blood cells, with the response to treatment with prednisone, administration of second-line treatment and the remission of the disease; although, the number of IgG molecules on red blood cells was 1,4 times higher in patients with no remission of the disease to those with remission. Conclusions: the immunoprotein pattern, the hemoglobin level, the reticulocyte count and the quantitation of IgG on red blood cells at the beginning of the disease are not a prognostic marker of the response to treatment(AU)

Lupus eritematoso sistémico en el anciano / Systemic lupus erythematosus in the elderly

El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) del anciano se refiere, en general, a la enfermedad que aparece después de los 65 años y presenta unas características diferenciales respecto al LES clásico de pacientes más jóvenes. Así, es aceptado que el LES de inicio tardío, responsable del 10-20% de los casos de lupus entre la población general, tiene un curso clínico diferente y unas primeras manifestaciones clínicas inespecíficas. En general, se ha descrito que el curso clínico del LES de inicio tardío es más indolente que el del LES clásico. Por otra parte, la incidencia significativamente mayor de varones con LES de inicio tardío y el curso más benigno de la enfermedad en mujeres postmenopáusicas sugieren que el estatus estrogénico puede influir de forma significativa en la actividad de la enfermedad. Debido al inicio insidioso y la poca especificidad de las manifestaciones al inicio de la enfermedad, se produce a menudo un diagnóstico tardío de la enfermedad. En el anciano, la presencia de comorbilidades y terapias concomitantes limita a menudo las opciones terapéuticas del LES. El tratamiento de elección para las manifestaciones articulares y la serositis son los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos o dosis bajas de corticosteroides durante un corto período de tiempo. Además de la necesidad de adoptar un enfoque multidisciplinar, obtener información sobre la capacidad funcional, el estado cognitivo y la situación social son elementos importantes que ayudarán en la toma de decisiones asistenciales en estos pacientes(AU)

Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) usually appears in patients older than 65 years and has clinical features different from the classical form observed in younger patients. In the elderly, SLE represents 10-20% of all SLE cases, shows a different and less aggressive clinical evolution and the first manifestations are non-specific. A significantly higher incidence of late-onset SLE in males, and the fact that postmenopausal women have a more benign disease, suggests that the estrogenic status may influence the activity of the disease. Owing to the insidious onset and the non-specific clinical manifestations on presentation, there is commonly a delayed diagnosis of late-onset SLE. Furthermore, the presence of comorbidities and concomitant therapies in elderly patients may limit the therapeutic options for SLE. The treatment of choice of joint symptoms and serositis includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and low-dose steroids for short periods. In addition to the need for adopting a multidisciplinary approach, it is fundamental to obtain information about the functional, cognitive and social status of these patients in order to make appropriate healthcare decisions(AU)

Treatment of neuromyelitis optica: an evidence based review / Tratamento da neuromielite óptica: uma revisão baseada em evidências

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by severe optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, usually with a relapsing course. Aquaporin-4 antibody is positive in a high percentage of NMO patients and it is directed against this water channel richly expressed on foot processes of astrocytes. Due to the severity of NMO attacks and the high risk for disability, treatment should be instituted as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. There is increasing evidence that NMO patients respond differently from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and, therefore, treatments for MS may not be suitable for NMO. Acute NMO attacks usually are treated with high dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse and plasmapheresis. Maintenance therapy is also required to avoid further attacks and it is based on low-dose oral corticosteroids and non-specific immunosuppressant drugs, like azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil. New therapy strategies using monoclonal antibodies like rituximab have been tested in NMO, with positive results in open label studies. However, there is no controlled randomized trial to confirm the safety and efficacy for the drugs currently used in NMO.

Neuromielite óptica (NMO) é uma doença inflamatória do sistema nervoso central caracterizada por grave neurite óptica e mielite transversa, com um curso usualmente recorrente. O anticorpo contra aquaporina-4 é positivo em grande porcentagem dos pacientes com NMO e se liga a este canal de água altamente expresso nos processos pediosos dos astrócitos. Devido à gravidade dos ataques de NMO e ao elevado risco de incapacidade, o tratamento deve ser instituído tão logo o diagnostico seja confirmado. Existem evidências crescentes de que pacientes com NMO respondem de forma diferente dos pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) e, portanto, os tratamentos utilizados na EM podem não ser adequados para NMO. Os quadros agudos de NMO são tratados com pulsos de corticosteroides em altas doses e plasmaférese. O tratamento de manutenção também deve ser instituído para evitar ataques subsequentes e é baseado em corticosteroides orais em baixas doses ou imunossupressores, como a azatioprina e o micofenolato mofetil. Novas estratégias de tratamento utilizando anticorpos monoclonais como rituximab têm sido avaliadas para NMO, com resultados positivos em estudos abertos. Entretanto, não existem estudos clínicos controlados, randomizados, para confirmar a segurança e eficácia dos tratamentos atualmente utilizados na NMO.

Anticuerpos antitiroperoxidasa y antitransglutaminasa en familiares de primer grado de personas con diabetes tipo 1 y su relación con algunas características clínicas, bioquímicas e inmunológicas / Antithyroperoxidase and antitransglutaminase antibodies in first degree relatives of type 1 diabetes persons and its relation to some clinical, biochemical and immunological features

Los anticuerpos antitiroperoxidasa (AcTPO) y antitransglutaminasa (ATGt) son útiles marcadores de enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune y enfermedad celíaca, respectivamente. Su presencia en familiares de primer grado de personas con diabetes tipo 1 no se ha descrito en Cuba. Objetivo: determinar las frecuencias de los AcTPO y ATGt en familiares de primer grado de personas con diabetes tipo 1 y su relación con algunas características clínicas, bioquímicas e inmunológicas. En un grupo de 285 sujetos se realizó la medición del AcTPO y en 262 individuos la de ATGt. Se incluyeron casos entre los 2 y 65 años de edad. Se registraron datos sobre edad, sexo, color de la piel, antecedentes personales, historia familiar de obesidad, diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad tiroidea y enfermedad celíaca. Se interrogaron síntomas y exploraron signos clínicos de enfermedad celíaca y enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune. Se determinó glucemia, insulinemia, AcTPO, ATGt y autoanticuerpos asociados a diabetes tipo 1 (AGAD y AIA-2), así como la resistencia a la insulina mediante el índice HOMA-IR. RESULTADOS: las frecuencias de AcTPO y ATGt positivos fueron 5,3 y 1,9 por ciento, respectivamente. La historia familiar de enfermedad tiroidea, el temblor muscular fino y el exoftalmos se relacionaron con la presencia de AcTPO. Malabsorción intestinal, diarrea persistente, dolor abdominal recurrente y antecedente personal de hepatopatía se asociaron con la presencia de ATGt. Se encontró asociación entre los ATGt y el AIA-2. La resistencia a la insulina no se asoció con la presencia de AcTPO ni de ATGt. En los familiares de primer grado de personas con diabetes tipo 1 las frecuencias de AcTPO y ATGt son bajas. Algunos antecedentes, síntomas y signos vinculados con enfermedad celíaca y enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune pueden ser indicadores prácticos previos a la indicación de estos autoanticuerpos(AU)

The antithyroperoxidase (TPOAb) and antitransglutaminase (tTGAb) antibodies are useful markers of autoimmune thyroid disease and celiac disease, respectively. Its presence in first-degree relatives of type 1 diabetes patients has not been described in Cuba. Objetive: to determine the TPOAb and tTGAb frequencies in first-degree relatives of type 1 diabetes patients and its relation to some clinical, biochemical and immunological features. In a group of 285 subjects we measured TPOAb and in 262 subjects we measured tTGAb. The cases included aged between 2 and 65. Data were registered on age, sex, skin color, personal backgrounds, and a family history of obesity, type 2 diabetes, thyroid disease and celiac disease. Symptoms were look for and clinical signs of celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease were explored. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, TPOAb, tTGAb and type 1 diabetes associated autoantibodies (AGAD and AIA-2) were determined as well as the insulin resistance according the HOMA-IR index. RESULTS: the frequencies of positive TPOAb and tTGAb were of 5,3 and 1,9 percent, respectively. The family history of thyroid disease, slight muscular tremor and exophthalmos are related to presence of TPOAb. Intestinal malabsorption, persistent diarrhea, recurrent abdominal pain and personal background of liver disease were associated with presence of tTGAb. There was an association between tTGAb and AIA-2. Insulin resistance was not associated with the presence of both antibodies. In first-degree relatives of type 1 diabetes patients, frequencies of TPOAb and tTGAb are low. Some backgrounds, symptoms and signs linked to celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease may be practical indicators previous to perform these autoantibodies(AU)

Terapia biológica con anticuerpos anti factor de necrosis tumoral, ¿ampliando el espectro de sus indicaciones? / Biological therapy with anti-TNF antibodies. Extending the spectrum of its indications?

El factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNFα) es un mediador fundamental en la respuesta inflamatoria de muchas enfermedades. Los anticuerpos anti-TNFalfa (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab) bloquean su acción, impidiendo la respuesta inflamatoria y el daño que produce. En este trabajo revisamos el tratamiento de algunas enfermedades en las que se está experimentando con estos fármacos, como son: colitis ulcerosa, sarcoidosis, enfermedad injerto contra huésped, enfermedad de Still del adulto, algunas vasculitis sistémicas, lupus eritematoso sistémico y enfermedad de Behçet (AU)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) is a main mediator in the inflammatory answer of many diseases. The anti-TNFalpha antibodies (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab) block their action, preventing the inflammatory answer and the damage it produces. In this paper, we review the treatment of some diseases in which these drugs are experimentally used. These are: ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, graft-versus-host disease, adult Still's disease, some systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Behçet disease (AU)

Exacerbación de orbitopatía tiroidea después de una anestesia retrobulbar / Progression of thyroid orbit disease after retrobulbar anesthesia

Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de una paciente de 71 años con oftalmopatía tiroidea estable que desarrolló una forma grave de Graves después de una anestesia retrobulbar para cirugía de catarata. Discusión: En un paciente con oftalmopatía de Graves, la presión local en el compartimento retrobulbar puede agravar la oftalmopatía(AU)

Case report: We present a 71 year-old woman with good control of her eye disease who developed a severe Graves' ophthalmopathy after retrobulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery. Discussion: Local pressure in the retrobulbar compartment can cause the development of a severe ophthalmopathy in a patient with Graves' ophthalmopathy(AU)