[Evaluation of morphological activity of primary Sjogren's syndrome on bioptates of minor salivary glands]. / Otsenka morfologicheskoi aktivnosti bolezni Shegrena po bioptatam malykh slyunnykh zhelez.

BACKGROUND: The results of the morphological study of the minor salivary glands can be used to assess the activity of the primary Sjogren's syndrome and to decide on adequate therapy.The existing protocol of The Sjögren's International Clinical Collaborative Alliance (SICCA) prescribes the methodology for examining biopsy specimens for suspected Sjögren's disease, however, experts interpret data from the analysis of histological preparations differently. OBJECTIVE: To identify morphological forms of sialadenitis, as well as to determine the focus score in Russian patients based on the retrospective analysis of minor salivary glands biopsies of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Biopsies of minor salivary glands were studied in 92 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome and 42 patients without rheumatic disease. RESULTS: Focal lymphocytic sialadenitis was detected in 69 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome. The focus score in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome was 7.32 (2.8-14.17). In patients without rheumatic diseases, this index was 0.48 (p<0.05). Patients with confluent lymphocytic foci need immunohistochemical examination and dynamic monitoring to exclude lymphoproliferative diseases. CONCLUSION: The index of morphological activity of sialadenitis in primary Sjogren's syndrome ranges from 2.8 to 14.17 and reflects the activity of the underlying disease.It should be taken into account in the diagnosis and prescription of adequate therapy. Further study of the correlations of morphological and clinical and laboratory parameters will lead to clarification of the criterion signs of the disease.

[Sjogren's disease/syndrome in combination with autoimmune liver damage. 20-years observation]. / Bolezn'/sindrom Shegrena v sochetanii s autoimmunnym porazheniem pecheni. 20-letnee nablyudenie.

Sjogren's disease (BS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, the main symptoms of which are associated with dry eyes, mouth, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, etc., but there are a large number of extra-vascular symptoms that can accompany this disease: weakness, swelling of the lymph nodes, respiratory failure, pain and swelling of the joints, rash, dysphagia, gastro-esophageal reflux, lymphoma, etc. In addition, the etiology of this disease remains unknown, and the pathogenesis is partially studied. The diagnosis of Sjogren's disease is complicated by a variety of clinical manifestations, as well as subacute and chronic variants of the course of the disease, in addition, the diagnostic criteria are periodically changed. It is recommended to adhere to the domestic diagnostic criteria considering the presence of laboratory signs of an autoimmune disease. The article presents a clinical observation of a patient with the development of the main symptoms and signs of BS and autoimmune hepatitis for 20 years. Recurrent mumps or chronic bilateral enlargement of the parotid salivary glands may be the first symptom of Sjogren's disease, which is recommended to extend the examination in order to identify other, sometimes latent signs of the disease.

[The relationship between Sjogren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis and lymphoproliferative diseases].

Despite the large number of studies devoted to the study of systemic sclerosis (SSc), the high risk of developing lymphomas in this disease, the relationship of their development with certain subtypes of SSc and specific SSc-associated autoantibodies is still debated in the literature. AIM: To study demographic, clinical, laboratory and immunological characteristics of patients with a combination of primary Sjogrens syndrome (pSS) and SSc and diagnosed lymphoproliferative diseases (LPDs); to characterize morphological/immunomorphological variants and course of non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL), developing in patients with these rheumatic diseases (RDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 19982018 at the Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, 13 patients with clinical and laboratory manifestations of pSS (12) and SSc (13) were diagnosed with various lymphoproliferative diseases (LPDs). In 3 cases, an induced RD was observed: 1 case of a diffuse, rapidly progressive form of SSc, 2 cases of pSS in combination with a limited form of SSc after chemotherapy and radiation therapy of Hodgkins lymphoma (1), B-cell NHL (1) and CR of the breast (1) respectively. The first 2 cases were excluded from the analysis, since the development of lymphomas is not pathogenetically associated with RD. RESULTS: Of 11 patients with LPDs, 10 after a long course of RDs were diagnosed with NHL [MALT lymphoma of the parotid salivary glands 7, disseminated MALT lymphoma 2, disseminated MALT lymphoma with transformation into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) 1]. RDs debuted with Raynauds phenomenon (RP) in 64.5% and pSS manifestations in 45.5% of patients. Stomatological manifestations of pSS were characterized by recurrent parotitis in 36%, significant parotid gland enlargement with massive infiltration of labial salivary glands (focus score 4) in 100%, severe xerostomia in 70%, extraglandular manifestations and lymphadenopathy in 50% of patients. The course of the SSc was characterized by mild RP with various types of capillaroscopic changes and mild lung changes and non-significant progression during long-term follow-up (median 22 years). The entire spectrum of SSс specific antibodies (anticentromere antibodies 60%, antibodies to ribonucleoprotease III 30%, Pm/Scl 10%), excepting antibodies to topoisomerase I, as well as pSS specific autoantibodies (antiRo/La 70%, RF (rheumatoid factor) 90%), were detected in patients with a combination of these RDs. CONCLUSION: pSS is often combined with a limited form of SSc regardless of the type of autoantibodies detected. The presence of pSS, rather than SSc, is a high-risk factor for the development of NHL in this group of patients. The patients with pSS and SSc are characterized by a steady progression of pSS with a slow and mild course of SSc throughout the observation period. The development of severe stomatological manifestations and high immunological activity of pSS contribute to the development of localized MALT lymphomas (70%) and disseminated MALT lymphomas (30%) with primary lesions of the salivary glands and transformation into DLBCL in case of their late diagnosis. The optimal method for preventing the development of NHL in this group of patients is the early diagnosis of pSS, the appointment of alkylating cytotoxic agents and/or anti-B-cell therapy in the early stages of pSS. Given the possibility of transformation of localized NHL into DLBCL, for early diagnosis, minimally invasive surgical biopsies of significantly enlarged parotid salivary glands should be performed before glucocorticoids are prescribed. Detection of positive B-cell clonality and lymphoepithelial lesions in the parotid salivary gland is considered a predictor of MALT lymphoma development during follow-up. Localized and disseminated MALT lymphomas in patients with pSS and SSc respond well to therapy, in contrast to MALT lymphomas transformed into DLBCL.

[Clinical and laboratory characteristics of IgG4-realated disease and its diagnostic algorithm].

AIM: to propose diagnostic algorithm of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One center retrospective research. 52 pts with IgG4-RD were included. The diagnosis was proved histologically and immunohistochemically. 48 out of 52 pts received treatment. Treatment included one of the following schemes (along with low oral glucocorticoids): rituximab monotherapy, cyclophosphamide monotherapy or their combination. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.4±5.9 years, the mean age of the disease onset was 43.9±16.0 years. Median time before the diagnosis was 24 months. The most often sites of IgG4-RD were lacrimal (63.5%), salivary (46.2%) glands, lungs (48%), lymph nodes (34.6%) and retroperitoneum (17.3%). In clinical picture the leading complain was organ enlargement, but not its dysfunction. Pain was characteristic for retroperitoneum localization. In 56.8% of pts with IgG4-related syalo - and/or dacryoadenitis there was association with ear - nose - throat organs affection. In 4 pts (7.7%) IgG4-RD was combined with some malignant disease, including MALT-lymphoma of lacrimal glands. Irreversible organ damage as an IgG4-RD outcome had 15.4% of pts. The main laboratory markers of IgG4-RD were ESR elevation (38.5%), blood eosinophilia (9.6%), immunological disturbances (serum total IgG and IgG4 elevation, IgE elevation, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor detection, hypocomplementemia). Serum IgG4 level >1.35 g/l was elevated in 88% of pts and correlated with the number of affected organs (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.39, Student's test, р=0.0056). Monoclonal serum secretion and B-cell clonality in the tissue was detected in 4 (23.5%) out of 17 pts, but not all of them had both signs. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics of IgG4-RD a diagnostic algorithm was proposed that enhances the detection and examination of the patients with suspected IgG4-RD.

Diagnosis of IgG4 - related ophthalmic disease in a group of patients with various lesions of the eye and orbits.

AIM: To provide demographic, clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, radiological, morphological/ immunomorphological phenotype of IgG4-related ophthalmic diseases, which allowsmaking a differential diagnosis with granulomatous, autoimmune, inflammatory, endocrine and hematologic diseases affecting the eye and orbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2016 108 (78.2%) of the 138 patients were diagnosed with non-tumoral lesions of eye and orbits. In 48 patients (35%) at admission and 5 patients in the follow were diagnosed IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. In the analysis of 82 (f-44, m-38) patients with IgG4-related disease, localization of lesions in orbit observed in 53 (f-36, m-17) and it was the most frequent involvement in patients with IgG4-related disease (64.5%). Only 7 patients had isolated IgG4-related ophthalmic disease, whereas 46 patients (87%) had involvement of 2-7 locations, as a manifestation of IgG4-related systemic disease.During the examination, the average age of patients with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease was 47.5 years (19-73 years). Median time to diagnosis was 52.8 months before 2004 and 36 months 2004-2016. RESULTS: We noted the predominance of females in the ratio 2: 1 inthe group of patients with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Edema of the eyelids, nasal congestion (55-60%), tumor-like formations of the upper eyelids and increased lacrimation prevailed at the onset of the disease, whereas such functional impairment like limited mobility and pain in eyeballs, exophthalmos, ptosis and diplopia appeared later at 15-38% with a loss visual acuity in one case. Bilateral lesion (86%), mainly affecting the lacrimal glands (93.5%), infiltration of the ex- traocular muscles (83.5%) and retrobulbar tissue with a thickening of the optic nerve in one third of patients were the main localizations IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Clinical symptoms were accompanied by the appearance of moderate inflammatory activity (38%), in- creased levels IgG (44%), IgG4(88%) and IgE (61%). Indicators of autoimmune disorders observed in 6-22% of patients, most often in pa- tients with simultaneous involvement of the salivary glands. Significant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (94%) with a ratio of plasma cells (IgG4/IgG) secreting IgG4> 40% (90%) with fibrosis formation (94%) and follicle formation (71%) with a moderate amount of eosinophils (34%) were the major morphological / immunomorphological manifestations of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Signs of vasculitis and obliterative phlebitis were found in a small amount of patients. CONCLUSION: Determination of elevated levels of IgG-4 / IgE in patients with edema, pseudotumor of the eyelid, sinusitis and increase of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland suggests the presence of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Minimally invasive incisional biopsy of lacrimal glands and salivary glands followed by morphological / immunomorphological research is needed for the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic orbitotomy in ophthalmic hospitals in such cases is inexpedient, since it leads to the development of dry eye. Massive lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with IgG4 / IgG ratio more than 40%, advanced fibrosis in biopsiesof the orbits tissue or salivary glands when combined lesions are required for the making the diagnosis of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease.

[IgG4-related salivary gland lesions]. / Svyazannye s IgG-4 porazheniya slyunnykh zhelez.

AIM: To provide the demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, morphological, and immunomorphological characteristics of IgG4-related sialoadenitis (IgG4-S), which allow the differential diagnosis with neuroendocrine, granulomatous, blood cancer lesions of the salivary gland (SG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the period 2004 to 2014, IgG4-S was diagnosed in 32 (11%) out of 289 patients with significantly enlarged parotid and submandibular glands (PG and SMG). Only 4 (9%) patients had isolated IgG4-related disease (IgG4-D) whereas involvement of a few organs ran as an IgG4-SD systemic disease in 29 (91%) patients. RESULTS: There was a slight preponderance of women with a median onset age of 42 years. Enlargement of the SMG (52.7%), lesions of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (37.2%), and enlargement of the lacrimal gland and orbital pseudotumors (31%) are the most common clinical manifestations at disease onset. A follow-up study indicated that along with involvements of SMG (97%), PG (72%), eye sockets (72%), nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (56%), one third of the patients were found to have generalized lymphadenopathy, to frequently develop pulmonary, hepatic, pancreatic, renal injuries; and the disease ran within IgG4-SD. The laboratory manifestations were characterized by moderate eosinophilia and elevated blood IgE levels in one-third of the patients and by moderately higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hypergammaglobulinemia in 50%. The increased blood level of IgG (84%) and its subclass IgG4 (86.4%) is an indication for further verification of IgG4-D in patients with involvement of the major SG. Immunohistochemical examination, by measuring the concentration of IgG4-secreting plasma cells (PCs), and determination of B-cell clonality in biopsy specimens should be done to verify a diagnosis with IgG4-D. CONCLUSION: The determination of blood IgG4 (>2 g/l) in patients with considerably enlarged major SG may suggest the presence of IgG4-S. Minimally invasively incised PG and SMG biopsies with their subsequent morphological and immunomorphological examinations should be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. More than 40% of IgG4-secreting PCs detected in SG tissue is evidence to diagnose IgG4-D.

[Differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases and blood cancers involving the nasal cavity and accessory sinuses].

AIM: To provide the clinical, laboratory, radiological, morphological, and immunomorphological signs that permit the differential diagnosis to be made in patients with involvement of the nasal cavity and accessory sinuses (NCAS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the period 2009 to 2013, the Laboratory for Intensive Therapy for Rheumatic Diseases, V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, associated the disease onset with NCAS involvement in 39 (7.6%) of 512 examinees. NCAS involvement was present at disease onset in 100% of the patients with natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma (NK/T lymphoma), in 84.5% of those with Wegener granulomatosis (WG), in 29.5% of those with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), and in 17.5% of those with sarcoidosis. Such an onset could be extremely rarely observed in histiocytosis. RESULTS: Despite the similar clinical manifestations, NCAS involvements in NK/T lymphoma of nasal type and WG at disease onset show clear differences in the laboratory and systemic manifestations of these diseases. The patients with lymphoma have no characteristic laboratory abnormalities at disease onset, except the 100% presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in blood and, only as a tumor grows, fever appears and there are elevated C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels and pronounced destructive changes in the facial bones with mandatory hard palate destruction; at the same time the signs of systemic involvement are virtually absent. The patients with WG at disease onset have fever, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated C-reactive level, significant anemia, leukocytosis and 90% are found to have anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with the rapid development of systemic manifestations: involvements of the lung, kidney, and peripheral nervous system. Destructive changes in the facial bones are minimal and hard palate destructions are absent. The patients with IgG4-RD, sarcoidosis, and juvenile xanthogranuloma have similar clinical and laboratory manifestations in the absence of hemorrhagic nasal discharge, nasal septal perforation, and facial bone destruction, with the practically involvement of the salivary/lacrimal glands and orbital regions. A third of the patients are observed to have different allergic manifestations, moderate eosinophilia, and signs of autoimmune disorders (the presence of rheumatoid and antinuclear factors, hypergammaglobulinemia). Elevated serum IgG4 levels are characteristic of IgG4-RD. CONCLUSION: Blood anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, EBV DNA, and IgG4 levels should be determined in all patients with NCAS involvement. Mini-invasive incision biopsies of the nasal mucosa, orbital regions, and major salivary glands should be done, by morphologically verifying the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, and WG and by making an immunomorphological examination to diagnose NK/T lymphoma and IgG4-RD.

[IgG4-related disease: patient group characterization and rituximab therapy].

AIM: To characterize a group of patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in a Russian population and to evaluate the efficiency of rituximab therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 2009 to 2011, at the Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 30 patients (16 men and 14 women; mean age 44 years) were diagnosed with IgG4-RD that was confirmed by determination of serum IgG4 levels and immunohistochemical study of biopsy samples stained for IgG4-positive plasma cells. Seven patients received rituximab therapy. RESULTS: It was assumed at baseline that there were different types of neoplasias in 12 (40%), non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphomas in 10 (33.3%), Sjögren's syndrome in 5 (16.7%), and Wegener's granulomatosis in 3 (10%). When 2 or more locations were involved, the condition was regarded as multifocal fibrosclerosis (33.3%). Localized forms were revealed in 20 (66.7%) patients. Among them, the largest number of patients was those who had orbital pseudotumor, Mikulicz's disease, or retroperitoneal fibrosclerosis. The most common sites of involvement were orbits (66.7%), salivary glands (70%) and lymph nodes (36.7%). Comparison of serum IgG4 levels in 28 patients with IgG4-RD, 22 patients with Sjögren's disease, salivary and lacrimal gland lymphomas, and 10 healthy controls showed that the concentration of IgG4 was significantly higher in Group 1 (median 2.6 g/I; IQR 1.22-4.65 (p < 0.001). Tissue IgG4/IgG ratio varied from 25 to 50% and averaged 38%. A moiré-like pattern of varying fibrosis was noted in 83% of cases. Analysis of laboratory data revealed elevated C-reactive protein concentrations (46.7% with a mean of 39.5 mg/l; normal values < 5.0 mg/l), increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60% with a mean of 37.6 mm/h), hypergammaglobulinemia (30% with a mean of 29.4%; normal range 13-22%), and rheumatoid factor (23.3%). After rituximab therapy, all the patients showed a decrease of IgG4 levels to the normal levels and positive changes evidenced by visualization techniques (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). CONCLUSION: IgG4-RD is a novel problem in modern medicine, which requires a multidisciplinary approach and further study. Rituximab therapy is a promising treatment.

[Rituximab therapy for systemic manifestations and MALT lymphomas of the parotid gland in Sjögren's disease: preliminary data].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (RT) in cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CGV) and MALT lymphomas of the parotid gland (PG) in patients with Sjögren's disease (SD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: RT therapy was performed in 13 patients with SD and CGV and in 17 with SD and PC MALT lymphoma. Eleven patients with SD received RT monotherapy and 19 with this disease had combined therapy with RT and cyclophosphan (CP). RT was used intravenously dropwise at a dose of 500 mg weekly or once every two weeks in combination with intravenous dropwise CP 1000 mg the next day with 4-6 per course. For the diagnosis of MALT lymphomas, all the patients with SD underwent incisional PG biopsy under local anesthesia at the Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. PG biopsy specimens were histologically and immunohistochemically studied at the Russian Cancer Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. In 11 cases, B-cell clonality was identified from immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain genes rearrangements, by using polymerase chain reaction at the Hematology Research Center, Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation. RESULTS: Cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis disappeared in 75% of cases after monotherapy with RT and in 100% of cases after combination therapy with RT and CP. At 6-month follow-up, a complete response to therapy remained in 25% of the patients after a course of monotherapy and in 83% after combined therapy. Serum monoclonal Ig cryoglobulins and their urinary light chains ceased to be detectable in 75% of the patients in both groups at 3 months. At 6 months, a recurrence of mixed monoclonal cryoglobulinemia was seen in 50 and 43% of cases after monotherapy and combined therapy, respectively. The clinical and laboratory response of cryoglobunemic glomerulonephritis to combined therapy with RT and CP was complete in 60% of cases at 6-month follow-up. After RT monotherapy, the patients with SD and PG MALT lymphoma achieved a complete clinical response in 88%, of whom histological and immunohistochemical reexaminations of PG biopsy specimens revealed no signs of MALT lymphoma in 71% of cases. B-cell clonality remained in the PG biopsy specimens following RT monotherapy. After the combination of RT and CP, a complete clinical response to therapy was observed in 100% of the patients, a complete histological response and a complete molecular one were seen in 83 and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: RT showed its efficacy in treating SD patients with CGV and PG MALT lymphomas.

[MALT-lymphomas in Sjogren's disease].

AIM: To develop algorithm of early diagnosis of extranodal lymphoma arising in patients with Sjorgen's disease (SD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: SD diagnosis was made in 457 patients treated in Rheumatology Institute clinic in 1999-2004, 38 (8.3%) females aged 19-82 had lymphoproliferative diseases. MALT-lymphomas were diagnosed in 15 (42.2%) patients. All the patients have undergone morphological, immunomorphological investigations of the salivary glands, postoperative material was analysed in some patients. In addition, the following investigations were made: ultrasonography of the salivary glands, lymph nodes, viscera; scintigraphy; trephine biopsy of the bone marrow; myelograms; CT of the chest, abdomena and brain; tests for monoclonal immunoglobulins in the serum and light chains in urine; biopsy of the parotid gland. Clinical, morphological and immunophenotypical characteristics of MALT-lymphomas were assessed by WHO classification. Lymphoma stages were classified according to Ann Arbor. RESULTS: Parotid glands were affected with MALT-lymphoma most frequently. Predominant were extranodal lymphomas of the parotid submandibular, minor salivary glands of the lip and lacrimal glands of stage I E-II E. Extranodal lymphoma with nodal lesion of stage IV occurred less frequently. Untreated long existing MALT-lymphomas of the parotid glands may transform into B-large cell lymphomas deteriorating SD prognosis. The presence of long-term (> 12 months) massive enlargement of parotid/submandibular salivary and lacrimal glands, massive infiltration, monoclonal immunoglobulins in blood serum and their light chains in the urine predict development of MALT-lymphoma in SD. CONCLUSION: In SD, MALT-lymphomas develop primarily in target organs--salivary and lacrimal glands. SD patients with persistent enlargement of the parotid glands need biopsy for early detection of malignant lymphoproliferation.