Proteinuria and serum creatinine after 12 months of treatment for lupus nephritis as predictors of long-term renal outcome: a case-control study

Abstract Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with 10-25% of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Objective: This study aims to elucidate the predictive capabilities of 24-h proteinuria (24PTU) and serum creatinine (sCr) after 12 months of treatment with respect to long-term renal outcomes in LN in a single-center cohort of LN patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 214 patients diagnosed with LN followed in our center. Values of 24PTU and sCr were assessed at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months, and after 5 years and/or the last evaluation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for 3 months or longer. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) was defined as the need for permanent dialysis. Receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) were used to test the best cut-off value of 24PTU and sCr at 12 months who predict bad long-term renal outcomes. Results: The mean follow-up period was 11.2 ± 7.2 years. The best cut-off values for 24PTU and sCr as predictor of CKD were, respectively, 0.9 g/24 h and 0.9 mg/dL. ROC curve for 24PTU had a slightly lower performance than ROC curve for sCr as predictor for CKD (PTU AUC = 0.68; sCr AUC = 0.70), but sensitivity and specificity were better for 24PTU (24PTU: sensitivity = 63.5%, specificity = 71.2%; sCr: sensitivity = 54.8%, specificity = 75.3%). When the outcome was ESRD the best cut-off points were 0.9 g/24hs and 1.3 mg/dL for 24PTU and sCr, respectively, and the curve performance was better for 24PTU (PTU AUC = 0.72; sCr AUC = 0.61). Conclusions: In this ethnically diverse population with LN followed for a long time (> 10 years), levels of 24PTU > 0.9/day at 12 months was a good predictor of bad long-term renal outcome. The serum creatinine > 0.9 mg/dL and > 1.3 mg/dL at 12 months were also good predictors of CKD and ESRD, respectively. Patients with 24PTU < 0.9 g/day and sCr < 1.3 mg/dL at 12 months are not likely to develop ESRD because of the high negative predictive values (NPV) (93.2% and 82%). 24PTU and sCr are relevant as components for a treat-to-target strategy for LN treatment, since their high NPV corroborates their importance as good predictors of long-term renal outcome.

Juvenile lupus, cytomegalovirus infection and cardiac tamponade: case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a rare case of cardiac tamponade in a pediatric patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and to discuss the relationship between these morbidities, the diagnostic approach, and the possible treatments. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with severe dyspnea, muffled heart sounds, jugular vein distention, hemodynamic instability, and intense pallor. She had previously been followed up at the outpatient clinic for a six-month history of mild respiratory distress, polyarthritis, fever, and various cutaneous manifestations. Doppler echocardiogram revealed pericardial effusion. The patient was submitted to pericardiocentesis followed by water seal pleuropericardial drainage, with no complications. The investigation continued, with fulfillment of clinical and laboratory SLE criteria plus CMV antigenemia of 15/200,000 cells. Medications to control CMV infection and SLE were then initiated, with good clinical and laboratory response. COMMENTS: Pediatric SLE commonly manifests in a more severe form, accounting for high morbimortality. Cardiac tamponade could be one of the first manifestations of SLE, which can also be precipitated by infectious agents, such as CMV, leading to diagnostic confusion and misleading the treatment. Changes in therapeutics must also be considered in the presence of both conditions. This study presents a juvenile SLE case aggravated by a CMV infection with the unusual manifestation of cardiac tamponade.

Could autism spectrum disorders be a risk factor for COVID-19?

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemia is infecting millions of people and some studies relate conditions that might increase the risk of developing a fatal course for the disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. In COVID-19 physiopathology, one of the main inflammation mechanisms is the "cytokine storm", causing a pro-inflammatory state, related to cardiac and pulmonary damage. There is also a less effective role of lymphocyte B and T in the humoral immunity due to the reduction of their proliferative response. The physiopathology of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) involves several modifications at the genetic and at the immune level, such as the increase of inflammatory cytokines and abnormal immune response in several levels. We hypothesize that ASD could be a risk-factor as the other conditions are.

Guillain-Barre syndrome and its correlation with dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses infection based on a literature review of reported cases in Brazil.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is one of the main neurologic manifestations of arboviruses, especially Zika virus infection. As known, the prevalence of these diseases is high, so the risk of having an increase on GBS is relevant. The study purposes making a comparative survey between the involvement of dengue, Zika and chikungunya infections in the development of the GBS in Brazil, as well as search in literature resemblances and distinctions between beforehand reported cases. It was performed an electronic search in online databases, with articles published between the years of 2004-2018. A total of 729 articles about the proposed search were found, and 10 were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The medium age found in Brazilian studies was 429. The time lapse for the neurological symptoms manifest was 6,5-11 days. Facial palsy, paresthesia and member weakness were the main symptoms related. Pediatric cases are rare. There are many studies that implicated the association of GBS and arboviruses and point it to one of the main neurological manifestation of these infections. More research and consistent data are needed to clarify unanswered questions and guide public health measures.