Vasculitis and cerebral hemorrhage due to Streptococcus gordonii infectious endocarditis: A case report.

Infective endocarditis is an infection of the heart with systemic consequences, both infectious and non-infectious. Infective endocarditis can affect several systems, one of which is the central nervous system. The most common form of presentation is ischemic stroke; however, intracranial hemorrhage can occur due to immune-mediated damage to the vessel wall. The former further complicates cardiac surgical procedures when necessary. We present here the case of a 21-year-old male patient, with no personal medical history, who presented with intracranial hemorrhage due to a vasculitis phenomenon, caused by Streptococcus gordonii infective endocarditis. The patient underwent emergency drainage of the intracranial hemorrhage and minimally invasive valve surgery in 17 days, with satisfactory postoperative recovery and follow-up.

Relevance of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies titers among patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in the study of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) including antibodies targeting domain 1 of the B2 glycoprotein 1 (anti-D1 B2GP1) and antibodies anti phosphatidylserine/ prothrombin (PS/PT). OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze a panel of conventional and non-criteria aPL in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), to describe if there are differences in aPL titers among groups, to evaluate clinical associations including risk of recurrent events of novel aPL. METHODS: Observational study that evaluated at baseline antibodies against anti-D1 B2GP1 and anti PS/PT. Anti-D1 B2GP1 antibodies were tested using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. IgG and IgM anti PS/PT, aCL and anti B2GP1 by ELISA techniques. Therefore, patients were followed in order to identify new thrombotic events. RESULTS: 133 patients with SLE and 23 with primary APS patients were included. Main APS manifestations were DVT (27%), obstetric morbidity (22%) and arterial thrombosis (10.1%). IgM anti PS/PT antibodies levels were (20.6 - 127) vs 21.9 (11.2 - 39.2) U/ml, p<0.001 in primary APS vs SLE with APS, respectively. Anti-D1 B2GP1, IgG and IgM anti PS/PT were associated with thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations. During follow-up, IgG B2GP1 were related with a significant cumulative risk of thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences in serum titers of non-criteria aPL among patients with primary APS vs SLE with APS. Whether non-criteria aPL antibodies titers are useful to differentiate patients with primary and secondary APS requires further analysis in other populations.

Importancia de los títulos de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos no criterio entre pacientes con síndrome antifosfolípido primario y pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Relevance of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies titers among patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Antecedentes: Hay un interés creciente en el estudio de los anticuerpos antifosfolípidos (aPL) no criterio, incluyendo anticuerpos contra el dominio 1 de la B2 glicoproteína 1 (anti-D1 B2GP1) y anticuerpos antifosfatidilserina/protrombina (PS/PT). Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo fue analizar un panel de aPL convencionales y no criterio en una cohorte de pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) y síndrome antifosfolípido primario (SAF), para describir si hay diferencias en los títulos de aPL entre los grupos, y evaluar asociaciones clínicas incluyendo el riesgo de eventos recurrentes con aPL novedosos. Metodología: Estudio observacional que evaluó los anticuerpos anti-D1 B2GP1 y anti-PS/PT de manera basal. Los anticuerpos anti-D1 B2GP1 se evaluaron a través de inmunoanálisis por quimioluminiscencia. Los anticuerpos anti-PS/PT, anticardiolipinas (aCL) y anti-B2GP1 fueron evaluados por técnicas de ELISA. Finalmente, los pacientes fueron seguidos en el tiempo para identificar nuevos eventos trombóticos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 133 pacientes con LES y 23 pacientes con SAF primario. Las principales manifestaciones de SAF fueron TVP (27%), morbilidad obstétrica (22%) y trombosis arterial (10,1%). Los títulos de anticuerpos anti-PS/PT IgM fueron 46,5 (20,6-127) vs. 21,9 (11,2-39,2) U/ml, p<0,001, en pacientes con SAF primario vs. LES con SAF secundario, respectivamente. Los anti-D1 B2GP1, anti-PS/PT IgG e IgM se asociaron con manifestaciones trombóticas y no trombóticas. Durante el seguimiento, los anticuerpos IgG B2GP1 se relacionaron con un riesgo acumulativo significativo de trombosis. Conclusiones: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en títulos séricos de aPL no criterio en pacientes con SAF primario vs. pacientes con LES y SAF secundario. Si los títulos de aPL no criterio son útiles para diferenciar entre SAF primario y SAF secundario, se requieren más análisis en otras poblaciones para poder confirmar si los títulos de aPL no criterio.

Background: There is an increasing interest in the study of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) including antibodies targeting domain 1 of the B2 glycoprotein 1 (anti-D1 B2GP1) and antibodies anti phosphatidylserine/ prothrombin (PS/PT). Objectives: Our aim was to analyze a panel of conventional and non-criteria aPL in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), to describe if there are differences in aPL titers among groups, to evaluate clinical associations including risk of recurrent events of novel aPL. Methods: Observational study that evaluated at baseline antibodies against anti-D1 B2GP1 and anti PS/PT. Anti-D1 B2GP1 antibodies were tested using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. IgG and IgM anti PS/PT, aCL and anti B2GP1 by ELISA techniques. Therefore, patients were followed in order to identify new thrombotic events. Results: 133 patients with SLE and 23 with primary APS patients were included. Main APS manifestations were DVT (27%), obstetric morbidity (22%) and arterial thrombosis (10.1%). IgM anti PS/PT antibodies levels were (20.6 - 127) vs 21.9 (11.2 - 39.2) U/ml, p<0.001 in primary APS vs SLE with APS, respectively. Anti-D1 B2GP1, IgG and IgM anti PS/PT were associated with thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations. During follow-up, IgG B2GP1 were related with a significant cumulative risk of thrombosis. Conclusions: We found significant differences in serum titers of non-criteria aPL among patients with primary APS vs SLE with APS. Whether non-criteria aPL antibodies titers are useful to differentiate patients with primary and secondary APS requires further analysis in other populations.(AU)

Síndrome antifosfolípido no trombótico: manifestaciones inflamatorias hematológicas y neurológicas / Non thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome: neurologic and hematologic inflammatory manifestations

RESUMEN El síndrome antifosfolípido (SAF) es una entidad caracterizada por la presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos y características clínicas como la pérdida fetal recurrente y la trombosis venosa o arterial. El diagnóstico del SAF se realiza extrapolando criterios de clasificación que incluyen criterios clínicos y de laboratorio, con manifestaciones trombóticas en su gran mayoría. Sin embargo, hay una gran variedad de manifestaciones no trombóticas de la enfermedad no incluidas en los criterios de clasificación. Dichas manifestaciones "extra-criterio" son aquellas que, debido a su frecuencia y a la relevancia que tienen para la toma de decisiones, son hallazgos de valor. Entre ellas, destacan características inflamatorias en dominios como el hematológico, de las cuales la principal es la trombocitopenia. De las diferentes manifestaciones neurológicas, debido a su frecuencia o gravedad, resaltan la migraña, la epilepsia, la demencia y otras graves como la corea y la mielitis. En la presente revisión se reseña la información disponible sobre las manifestaciones de dos dominios frecuentes y relevantes "extra-criterio" del síndrome antifosfolípido: las hematológicas y las neurológicas.

SUMMARY Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an entity defined for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and events such as recurrent fetal loss and arterial or venous thrombosis. APS diagnosis is made through classification criteria, including laboratory criteria and clinical manifestations (most of them being thrombotic manifestations). Nonetheless, there is a wide variety of non-thrombotic manifestations of APS, which are not included in classification criteria. These "noncriteria" manifestations are important for decision making, based on their frequency or clinical relevance. Among them, some domains stand out: the hematologic domain, being thrombocytopenia the main manifestation; and the neurological domain with different manifestations such as migraine, epilepsy, dementia and severe manifestations, such as chorea and myelitis. Therefore, in the present article, information concerning two of the most common "non-criteria" domains (neurological and hematological) of APS is reviewed.

Ultrasonido Doppler de arterias temporales en pacientes con arteritis de células gigantes: estado del arte y revisión sistemática de la literatura / Temporal artery Doppler ultrasound in patients with giant cell arteritis: State of the art and systematic review of the literature

RESUMEN La arteritis de células gigantes es una vasculitis que afecta de manera predominante a vasos de gran calibre y aparece en personas mayores de 50 arios. Su presentación clínica incluye cefalea, alteraciones auditivas o síntomas similares a polimialgia reumática. En su forma más grave puede causar pérdida de visión uni- o bilateral, secundaria a neuropatía óptica isquémica de tipo arterítico. En la actualidad, el estándar de referencia para su diagnóstico es la biopsia de arterias temporales, procedimiento que no es inocuo y que puede tener como complicaciones infección, lesión nerviosa o sangrado, entre otras. Entre las técnicas no invasivas de diagnóstico, el ultrasonido y el Doppler de arterias temporales han tomado un rol cada vez más importante en el diagnóstico de esta entidad, dado que son pruebas benignas, con nulos efectos adversos y, a través de estrategias como las clínicas fast-track apoyadas en este método diagnóstico, se ha logrado reducir las complicaciones isquémicas de la enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Giant cell arteritis is a vasculitis that predominantly affects large calibre vessels, and usually appears in people over 50 years-old. Its clinical presentation includes headache, hearing impairment, or polymyalgia rheumatica-like symptoms. In its most severe form, it can cause uni- or bilateral vision loss secondary to arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy. Currently, the gold standard for its diagnosis is the temporal artery biopsy, a procedure that is not harmless and may have complications such as infection, nerve injury, bleeding, among others. Among non-invasive diagnostic methods, the ultrasound and temporal artery Doppler have gained a predominant role in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, as it is a benign test with no adverse effects. Through strategies such as «fast-track¼ clinics, supported by this diagnostic method, a reduction has been achieved in ischaemic complications of the disease.

Urinary levels of ceruloplasmin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 correlate with extra-capillary proliferation and chronic damage in patients with lupus nephritis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There are few studies of urinary biomarkers and histopathologic features in lupus nephritis (LN). The aim was to analyze the correlation between a wide panel of urinary biomarkers and serum concentrations of anti C1q antibodies with histological items of activity and chronicity on kidney biopsy in LN patients. METHODS: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included. LN diagnosis was based on ACR criteria. Histologic features of activity and chronicity indices were analyzed according to the Austin classification. Serum Anti C1q levels were determined by commercial ELISA. Urinary levels of transferrin, ceruloplasmin (CP), VCAM-1, TWEAK, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein were measured by commercial ELISA. RESULTS: We included 120 SLE patients (81% female, mean age 33.1 ± 9.3 years, 59.4% Mestizo, 37.8% Afro-Latin American): 64% had LN. Kidney biopsy was performed in 55 patients, but only 37 were made in our center. Anti C1q antibodies were associated with endocapillary proliferation. In patients with cellular crescents, urinary concentrations of CP were significantly higher. In patients with a chronicity index (CI) ≥ 4, fibrous crescents, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, urinary MCP-1 levels were higher. CONCLUSIONS: In SLE patients, serum anti C1q antibodies and urinary CP were associated with activity on kidney biopsy and MCP-1 with chronic damage. This panel of biomarkers could be validated in larger, multi-ethnic population as a complementary tool for better stratification of LN patients. Key Points • Urinary biomarkers are complementary useful tools for the assessment of SLE patients. • Urinary levels of CP correlated with activity findings on kidney biopsy in LN patients. • Urinary levels of MCP-1 correlated with chronic damage, especially with fibrous crescents, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis.