Association Between MR Elastography Liver Stiffness and Histologic Liver Fibrosis in Children and Young Adults With Autoimmune Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND. Liver fibrosis is an important clinical endpoint of the progression of autoimmune liver disease (AILD); its monitoring would benefit from noninvasive imaging tools. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between MR elastography (MRE) liver stiffness measurements and histologic liver fibrosis, as well as to evaluate the performance of MRE and biochemical-based clinical markers for stratifying histologic liver fibrosis severity, in children and young adults with AILD. METHODS. This retrospective study used an existing institutional registry of children and young adults diagnosed with AILD (primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC], autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis [ASC], or autoimmune hepatitis [AIH]). The registry was searched to identify patients who underwent both a research abdominal 1.5-T MRI examination that included liver MRE (performed for registry enrollment) and a clinically indicated liver biopsy within 6 months of that examination. MRE used a 2D gradient-recalled echo sequence. One analyst measured mean liver shear stiffness (in kilopascals) for each examination. Laboratory markers of liver fibrosis (aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index [APRI] and fibrosis-4 [FIB-4] score) were recorded. For investigational purposes, one pathologist, blinded to clinical and MRI data, determined histologic Metavir liver fibrosis stage. The Spearman rank order correlation coefficient was calculated between MRE liver stiffness and Metavir liver fibrosis stage. ROC analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance for identifying advanced fibrosis (i.e., differentiating Metavir F0-F1 from F2-F4 fibrosis), and sensitivity and specificity were calculated using the Youden index. RESULTS. The study included 46 patients (median age, 16.6 years [IQR, 13.7-17.8 years]; 20 female patients, 26 male patients); 12 had PSC, 10 had ASC, and 24 had AIH. Median MRE liver stiffness was 2.9 kPa (IQR, 2.2-4.0 kPa). MRE liver stiffness and Metavir fibrosis stage showed strong positive correlation (ρ = 0.68). For identifying advanced liver fibrosis, MRE liver stiffness had an AUC of 0.81, with sensitivity of 65.4% and specificity of 90.0%; APRI had an AUC of 0.72, with sensitivity of 64.0% and specificity of 80.0%; and FIB-4 score had an AUC of 0.71, with sensitivity of 60.0% and specificity of 85.0%. CONCLUSION. MRE liver stiffness measurements were associated with histologic liver fibrosis severity. CLINICAL IMPACT. The findings support a role for MRE in noninvasive monitoring of liver stiffness, a surrogate for fibrosis, in children and young adults with AILD. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03175471.

Macrophage membrane-modified targeted phase-change nanoparticles for multimodal imaging of experimental autoimmune myocarditis.

Myocarditis is an important public health issue due to the high prevalence of sudden death in adolescents and young adults. Nevertheless, the early identification of myocarditis remains a serious problem for clinicians. There is no single non-invasive method to diagnose myocarditis in the currently available clinical guidelines and consensus. Molecular imaging is an effective approach for accurate diagnosis. Poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is considered to be the preferred carrier for molecular imaging because of its biosafety and modifiability. Macrophage membrane-modified biomimetic nanoprobes (MM-NPs) possess low immunogenicity and inflammation-directed chemotaxis capabilities and are repeatedly chosen as materials for targeted diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this study, experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) was used as an animal model of inflammation. Previous studies have confirmed that this model is similar to pathological injury caused by acute myocarditis in humans. In multimodal imaging (US/PA/MRI), a phase-change material (PFH) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) are used as imaging substances. Early identification of myocardial inflammatory sites was achieved by the tail vein injection of MM/NPs loaded with PFH and SPIO. This probe is expected to be a powerful tool for clinicians to diagnose myocarditis.

Radiological and histopathological features and treatment response by subtypes of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features: A prospective, multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) have a favourable prognosis when they have interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). However, precise IPAF-related findings from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and lung histopathological specimens and the treatment response have not been fully determined. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between findings on HRCT or lung histopathological specimens and the progression of interstitial pneumonia in patients with IPAF. METHODS: This multicentre cohort study prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with IIP. At the diagnosis of IIP, we systematically evaluated 74 features suggestive of connective tissue diseases and followed them up. HRCT, lung specimens, serum antibodies, and the clinical course were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among 222 patients with IIP, 26 (11.7%) fulfilled the IPAF criteria. During a median observation period of 36 months, patients with IPAF showed better survival than those without IPAF (p = 0.034). While histopathological findings were not related to IPAF, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with organizing pneumonia (OP) overlap was the most prevalent HRCT pattern (p < 0.001) and the consolidation opacity was the most common radiological finding in IPAF (p = 0.017). Furthermore, in patients with IPAF, the diagnosis of COP or NSIP with OP overlap was associated with a higher increase in %FVC in 1 year than in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, NSIP, or unclassifiable IIP (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the presence of consolidation opacity on HRCT and the diagnosis of COP or NSIP with OP overlap are associated with IPAF and its favourable treatment response in patients with IPAF.

Ecografía clínica en las enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas / Clinical ultrasonography in systemic autoimmune diseases

La ecografía clínica se debe considerar, hoy por hoy, como una exploración complementaria que puede modificar la práctica clínica. Es una herramienta más de la historia clínica. Las enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas (EAS) son enfermedades en las que se pueden ver implicados múltiples estructuras y órganos. La ecografía tiene utilidad aplicada de forma genérica para detectar complicaciones, como la presencia de líquido libre intraabdominal, pleural o pericárdico en las poliserositis, la presencia de disfunción sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo en pacientes con miocarditis o para confirmar la existencia de una trombosis venosa profunda en un paciente con síndrome antifosfolípido. También, de forma específica en las EAS, la ecografía nos permite explorar las glándulas salivales en pacientes con síndrome de Sjögren, determinar la presencia del signo del halo en la arteritis de células gigantes, la presencia de inflamación tendinosa o articular, cuantificar la hipertensión pulmonar en pacientes con esclerodermia o valorar la presencia de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial en una dermatomiositis. La ecografía clínica realizada por el internista es, por tanto, una técnica extremadamente útil en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes con EAS

Clinical ultrasonography should be considered a complementary examination that can change clinical practice, as well as a tool to add to the medical history. Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) can involve numerous structures and organs. Ultrasonography has broad applied utility in detecting complications such as the presence of free intraabdominal, pleural and pericardial fluid in polyserositis, left ventricular systolic dysfunction in myocarditis and deep vein thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome. Specifically for SAD, ultrasonography helps examine the salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome, determines the presence of the halo sign in giant cell arteritis and the presence of tendon or joint inflammation, quantifies pulmonary hypertension in scleroderma and assesses the presence of interstitial pulmonary disease in dermatomyositis. Clinical ultrasonography performed by internists is therefore an extremely useful technique in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with SAD

Retinopatía autoinmune con anticuerpos antirecoverina no asociado a neoplasia: a propósito de un caso / Autoimmune retinopathy with positive anti-recoverin antibodies not associated with neoplasms: Case report

El objetivo fue presentar un caso de retinopatía autoinmune (AIR) no paraneoplásica con anticuerpos antirecoverina positivos. Una mujer de 28 años consultó por pérdida de la agudeza visual bilateral de 8 meses de evolución. El fondo de ojo presentó un patrón de coloración moteado desde el centro a la periferia, sin espículas pigmentarias. La angiografía mostró un patrón de áreas puntiformes, sin fuga de contraste. Se observó una reducción de las capas externas de la retina en la tomografía de coherencia óptica, mientras que el electrorretinograma mostró una ausencia de respuesta de los conos y los bastones en el ojo derecho, y una respuesta disminuida de los conos con ausencia de respuesta de los bastones en el ojo izquierdo. Se sospechó AIR, y se empezó tratamiento empírico con corticoides a la espera de los resultados del Western-blot, que posteriormente resultó positivo para recoverina, GAPDH, anti-alfa-enolasa y aldolasa. Mientras pudo ser tratada, la agudeza visual se mantuvo estable. Al retirarse el tratamiento, esta se redujo a amaurosis en el ojo derecho y movimiento de manos en el ojo izquierdo

The case is presented of a non-paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) with positive anti-recoverin autoantibodies. A 28-year-old woman presented with a rapidly progressive bilateral visual loss of 8 months onset. Funduscopic examination revealed diffuse fine mottled atrophic changes in both eyes. Fluorescein angiographic studies showed a pattern of mottled areas of early hyperfluorescence without leakage of dye. In the ocular coherence tomography it was observed that was a loss of external layers. The electroretinogram showed absence of rod and cone responses in the right eye, and diminished cone response associated to absence of rod response in the left eye. AIR was suspected, and empirical corticosteroid treatment was started while waiting for Western-blot results, which was finally positive for recoverin, GAPDH, anti-alpha-enolase, and aldolase. The patient was able to be treated, and her visual acuity remained stable, but as soon as it was suspended, vision was completely lost in the right eye and reduced to hand movement in the left eye

Capilaroscopia: una herramienta diagnóstica valiosa / Capillaroscopy: A Valuable Diagnostic Tool

La capilaroscopia es una técnica de estudio que permite obtener imágenes directas in vivo de la microcirculación cutánea. Constituye un método accesible y no invasivo para analizar las anormalidades microvasculares, por lo que puede utilizarse en niños y adultos. En la actualidad se ha demostrado su utilidad en múltiples dolencias, principalmente en el fenómeno de Raynaud y otras enfermedades autoinmunes. La capilaroscopia se realiza en el lecho ungueal del segundo al quinto dedo de ambas manos con la finalidad de encontrar un patrón capilaroscópico específico. El patrón de normalidad se caracteriza por la presencia de 7-11 capilares por milímetro dispuestos en forma de «U» invertida. Los patrones patológicos muestran alteraciones morfológicas y estructurales como: ectasias, capilares gigantes, hemorragias patológicas, áreas avasculares y neoangiogénesis. En este artículo se presentan las bases de la capilaroscopia, incluyendo la técnica, las indicaciones, así como la utilidad diagnóstica y como factor pronóstico en enfermedades reumatológicas

Capillaroscopy produces in vivo images of skin microcirculation. It is a simple, noninvasive tool for analyzing microvascular abnormalities and, as such, can be used in both adults and children. Capillaroscopy has proven useful in many diseases, but it is of particular value in Raynaud phenomenon and other autoimmune diseases. The test is used to analyze capillaroscopic patterns in the nailfold bed of the second to fifth fingers of each hand. A normal capillaroscopic pattern is characterized by the presence of 7 to 11 capillaries in a hairpin shape. Pathologic patterns are characterized by morphologic and structural alterations, such as ectasias, giant capillaries, pathologic hemorrhages, avascular areas, and neoangiogenesis. In this article, we review the fundamentals of capillaroscopy, with an emphasis on the technique and its indications, diagnostic value, and use as a prognostic tool for rheumatologic disorders

Meningitis crónica autoinmune secundaria a meningitis aguda por neumococo: caso clínico / Autoimmune chronic meningitis secondary to pneumococcal meningitis: report of one case

Pneumococcal meningitis produces several inflammatory disorders in susceptible subjects. A worsening of meningitis can occur on the fourth day of evolution in relation with the withdrawal of steroids. Other complications include the development of inflammatory signs in the post-acute stage of infection associated with disseminated vasculitis of the cerebral blood vessels and, even later, an autoimmune chronic meningitis. All these inflammatory complications are well controlled with the use of steroids. We report a 53-year-old woman with pneumococcal meningitis that had a good response to treatment with antibiotics and steroids. On the four day, after the steroids were discontinued, she complained of headache, became confused, and had an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), report CT angiography showed signs of arteritis. She improved when the steroids were re-started. She was discharged in good condition but after slow tapering of the steroids over a four-month period she had a relapse of all her symptoms and had a gait disturbance. On readmission, she had an inflammatory CSF, there were no signs of infection and the cerebral MRI showed meningeal thickening with ventricular space enlargement. She improved again with steroids and she is now well on high-dose steroids but deteriorates each time the steroids are stopped. She experienced both acute and sub-acute inflammatory responses and finally developed a chronic meningitis responsive, and is dependent on steroids.

PET/TC en enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas / PET/CT scan in systemic autoimmune diseases

No disponible

Respuesta: PET/TC en enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas / Reply: PET/CT scan in systemic autoimmune diseases

No disponible

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease of the maxillofacial region: a rare case / Enfermedad relacionada con inmunoglobulina G4 en el área maxilofacial: un caso raro

IgG4-related disease is a systemic, multifocal, immune-mediated disorder that can affect multiple organs and may present as a tumor, with rare cases described in the maxillofacial region. A female patient, 53 years old, presenting tumor-like mass in the right mandibular region. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested well circumscribed nodular lesion adjacent to the branch / body of the mandible, extending posteriorly to the masseter muscle. During the surgical procedure of excision, a lesion was observed adhering to the right masseter muscle, but it was possible to remove it completely. Histopathological and immunehistochemical analysis suggested diagnosis of IgG4-related disease, furthermore, IgG4 serum count was increased. Actually, the patient continues on periodical followups in our service and by other specialties. Can be concluded that precise diagnosis of this pathology depends on many factors, being challenging and the treatment involves multidisciplinary evaluation due to the possibility of involvement of several other organs.

La enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 es una condición sistémica, multifocal, mediada por una alteración de la respuesta inmune que puede afectar diferentes órganos o puede presentarse como un tumor, raramente descrito en el área maxilofacial. Se describe el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 53 años de edad, presentando una masa tumoral en el ángulo mandibular derecho. La resonancia magnética sugirió un área nodular bien delimitada adyacente al cuerpo mandibular y extendida posteriormente hasta el musculo masetero. Durante la escisión quirúrgica, la lesión se presentaba adherida al musculo de forma lateral siendo posible el retiro total de la lesión. El estudio histopatológico e inmunohistoquimico determinó el diagnóstico de enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 presentando un conteo de igG4 aumentado. Actualmente, la paciente continua con seguimiento por la especialidad. Se puede concluir que el diagnóstico preciso de esta patología depende de algunos factores; el tratamiento debe ser multidsciplinario debido a la inclusión de diferentes órganos en la enfermedad.

The role of regulatory T cells, interleukin-10 and in vivo scintigraphy in autoimmune and idiopathic diseases - Therapeutic perspectives and prognosis / O papel de células T regulatórias, da interleucina 10 e da cintilografica in vivo em doenças autoimunes e idiopáticas - Perspectivas terapêuticas e prognóstico

Summary Previous studies have demonstrated the expression of the CD25 marker on the surface of naturally occurring T cells (Tregs) of mice, which have a self-reactive cellular profile. Recently, expression of other markers that aid in the identification of these cells has been detected in lymphocyte subtypes of individuals suffering of autoimmune and idiopathic diseases, including: CD25, CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4), HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen) and Interleukin 10 (IL-10), opening new perspectives for a better understanding of an association between such receptors present on the cell surface and the prognosis of autoimmune diseases. The role of these molecules has already been described in the literature for the modulation of the inflammatory response in infectious and parasitic diseases. Thus, the function, phenotype and frequency of expression of the a-chain receptor of IL-2 (CD25) and IL-10 in lymphocyte subtypes were investigated. Murine models have been used to demonstrate a possible correlation between the expression of the CD25 marker (on the surface of CD4 lymphocytes) and the control of self-tolerance mechanisms. These studies provided support for the presentation of a review of the role of cells expressing IL-2, IL-10, HLA-DR and CTLA-4 receptors in the monitoring of immunosuppression in diseases classified as autoimmune, providing perspectives for understanding peripheral regulation mechanisms and the pathophysiology of these diseases in humans. In addition, a therapeutic approach based on the manipulation of the phenotype of these cells and ways of scintigraphically monitoring the manifestations of these diseases by labeling their receptors is discussed as a perspective. In this paper, we have included the description of experiments in ex vivo regulation of IL-10 and synthesis of thio-sugars and poly-sugars to produce radiopharmaceuticals for monitoring inflammation. These experiments may yield benefits for the treatment and prognosis of autoimmune diseases.

Resumo Estudos anteriores já haviam demonstrado a expressão do marcador CD25 na superfície de células T de ocorrência natural (Tregs) de camundongos, que apresentam perfil celular autorreativo. Recentemente, foi detectada, em subtipos de linfócitos de indivíduos acometidos por doenças autoimunes e de causa idiopática, a expressão de outros marcadores, que auxiliam na identificação dessas células, entre os quais: CD25, CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4), HLA-DR (human leucocyte antigen) e Interleucina 10 (IL-10), abrindo novas perspectivas para a melhor compreensão de uma associação entre esses receptores presentes na superfície celular e o prognóstico de doenças autoimunes. O papel dessas moléculas já havia sido descrito na literatura na modulação da resposta inflamatória em doenças infectoparasitárias. Dessa forma, foram investigados a função, o fenótipo e a frequência de expressão, do receptor de cadeia a da IL-2 (CD25) e de IL-10 em subtipos de linfócitos. O modelo murino tem sido utilizado para demonstrar uma possível correlação entre a expressão do marcador CD25 (na superfície de linfócitos CD4) e o controle dos mecanismos de autotolerância. Essas pesquisas forneceram suporte para apresentação de uma revisão sobre o papel das células que expressam os receptores de IL-2, IL-10, HLA-DR e CTLA-4 no monitoramento da imunossupressão, em doenças de classificação autoimune, abrindo perspectivas para o entendimento dos mecanismos de regulação periférica e sobre a fisiopatologia dessas doenças no ser humano. Além disso, é discutida como perspectiva uma abordagem terapêutica fundamentada na manipulação do fenótipo dessas células, bem como de modos de monitoramento cintilográfico das manifestações dessas doenças, por meio da marcação de seus receptores. Nestes, foram incluídas descrições das experiências em regulação ex-vivo de IL-10; de síntese de tioaçúcares e de poliaçúcares para produção de radiofármacos para monitoramento de inflamações. Essas experiências podem trazer benefícios na terapia e no prognóstico de doenças autoimunes.