scholarly journals POS1221 SARS-COV2 SEROLOGY SCREENING IN SPONDYLOARTHRITIS PATIENTS IN NORTH-EASTERN ITALY: A PILOT STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 894-894
Author(s):  
A. Ortolan ◽  
C. Cosma ◽  
M. Lorenzin ◽  
G. Cozzi ◽  
A. Doria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Activity Score ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Chi Square

Background:Serology could help defining the real extent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) diffusion in the population, especially in individuals considered at higher risk of SARS-CoV2 infection (COVID-19), such as Spondiloarthritis (SpA) patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or health care workers (HCW). In fact, COVID-19 detection is complicated by the fact that many patients can be asymptomatic. In these cases, it has also been suggested that a weaker immune response might be elicited.In this context, the role of anti-cytokine targeted therapy –commonly used as treatment in SpA- is uncertain, as it is not clear whether it is detrimental or protective towards severe disease forms.Objectives:The aim of the study was to explore the potential role of serology in detecting previous contact with SARS-CoV2 in SpA patients and HCW, and compare the frequency of positive findings with a control population.Methods:Consecutive patients affected by axial or peripheral SpA, classified according to Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria and undergoing cytokine-targeted therapy, as well as HCW and controls from the pre-COVID-19 era (control group, 2015) were recruited. In SpA patients, disease activity was assessed by Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Disease Activity Score on 28-joint-count (DAS28).Sera from all patients were analysed through chemiluminescent analytical system (CLIA) for the presence of IgG and IgM anti-SARS-CoV2. Patients with a positive serological test (either IgM or IgG) additionally underwent real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in nasopharyngeal swabs in order to test for active infection. In SpA patients, serology was repeated after 3 months. Data across the 3 groups were compared by ANOVA or Chi-square, while comparison between 2 groups were conducted by Wilcoxon signed rank test or Chi-Square, for continuous and categorical data respectively. P ≤ 0.05 were considered as significant.Results:A total of 396 patients were recruited: 200 SpA, 95 HCW and 101 healthy controls. SpA patients were mostly (54%) males, with mean age 49.6 ±14.7 years, and all were treated with anti-TNFα (78%), anti-IL-17 (9%) and anti-IL-23 drugs (7%), or small molecules (6%). Their disease activity level was moderate-low as assessed by ASDAS (1.95 ±0.98) and DAS28 (2.33 ±2.02). Among HCW and controls, 35% and 62% were male, with mean age 46.7 ±12.9 and 50.6±10.6 respectively.Positive serology (IgM or IgG, or both) was found in 12.5% SpA patients, 8.4% HCW, 0% controls (p=0.001). Among these, IgM titres were higher in the SpA group than in HCW (2.76±2.94 versus 0.80±0.67 KU/L, p= 0.016), while IgG mean titres were lower in the SpA group than in HCW (0.88±3.18 KU/L versus 1.05±0.88, p= 0.035). SpA patients with positive serology more frequently reported COVID-19 like symptoms than those with negative serology (20% vs 4%, p=0.009) and 2 had COVID-19 as confirmed by RT-PCR, none with a severe disease course. None of the HCW reported symptoms or tested positive by RT-PCR. In the SpA patients, at 3 months, the mean IgM titre decreased from 2.76±2.93 to 2.38±2.95 (p=0.001), while the IgG titres decreased from 0.89±3.25 to 0.31±0.87 (p=ns). Interestingly, the IgM or IgG titer at a single-patient level did not seem to change much in terms of absolute value (Figure 1), except in one patient, with documented COVID-19 (positive RT-PCR), in whom IgG level even decreased at 3 months.Conclusion:Serology revealed that exposure to COVID-19 in SpA patients, as well as HCW, was higher than expected based on reported symptoms. Targeted anti-cytokine therapy could act as a protective factor for a severe disease course in SpA patients. However, in this population, IgG and IgM titres did not change in a clinically significant manner at 3 months, and patient did not seem to develop an immune profile consistent with durable response. This result could be due to a weaker immune response in mild infections, but further studies are warranted to clarify the pathophysiology beyond these observations.Figure 1.Disclosure of Interests:Augusta Ortolan: None declared, Chiara Cosma: None declared, Mariagrazia Lorenzin: None declared, Giacomo Cozzi: None declared, Andrea Doria Speakers bureau: Novartis, Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, Janssen, Glaxosmithkline, Mario Plebani: None declared, Roberta Ramonda Speakers bureau: Novartis, Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, Janssen

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Spondyloarthritis Patients Treated With Biotechnological Drugs: A Study on Serology

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusta Ortolan ◽  
Mariagrazia Lorenzin ◽  
Chiara Cosma ◽  
Giacomo Cozzi ◽  
Andrea Padoan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Analytical System ◽  
Biotechnological Drugs

ObjectiveSerology could help to define the real extent of SARS-CoV-2 diffusion, especially in individuals considered at higher risk of COVID-19, such as spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients undergoing immunosuppressant. Our aim was to detect, by serology, previous SARS-CoV-2 contact in SpA, compared to health care workers (HCW), and healthy controls.MethodsSera from consecutive patients affected by SpA undergoing cytokine-targeted therapy, HCW and healthy controls from 2015 were analysed through chemiluminescent analytical system for the presence of IgG and IgM anti-SARS-CoV-2. Positive patients (IgM or IgG, or both) additionally underwent real-time Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR) to test for active infection. Serology was repeated at 3-months in SpA. Data across 3 groups were compared by Kruskal Wallis/Chi-square, and between 2 groups by Wilcoxon rank test/Chi-Square. P ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.Results200 SpA, 95 HCW and 101 controls were recruited. Positive serology was found in 25(12.5%) SpA, 8(8.4%) HCW, 0(0%) controls (p=0.001). SpA patients with positive serology more frequently reported COVID-19-like symptoms than those with negative serology (20% vs. 4%, p=0.009) and 2 had COVID-19 as confirmed by RT-PCR, non severe. No HCW reported symptoms or had positive RT-PCR. In SpA patients, at 3 months, mean IgM titres decreased from 2.76 ± 2.93 to 2.38 ± 2.95 (p=0.001), while IgG titres from 0.89 ± 3.25 to 0.31 ± 0.87 (p=ns).ConclusionsSerology revealed that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in SpA patients and HCW was higher than expected based on reported symptoms. In SpA, anti-cytokine therapy could act as a protective factor for a severe disease course. However, a seroconversion was not observed at 3-months.

scholarly journals Profiles of Peripheral Immune Cells of Uncomplicated COVID-19 Cases with Distinct Viral RNA Shedding Periods

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Denise Utami Putri ◽  
Cheng-Hui Wang ◽  
Po-Chun Tseng ◽  
Wen-Sen Lee ◽  
Fu-Lun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Peripheral Immune Cells ◽  
Cell Profile

The heterogeneity of immune response to COVID-19 has been reported to correlate with disease severity and prognosis. While so, how the immune response progress along the period of viral RNA-shedding (VRS), which determines the infectiousness of disease, is yet to be elucidated. We aim to exhaustively evaluate the peripheral immune cells to expose the interplay of the immune system in uncomplicated COVID-19 cases with different VRS periods and dynamic changes of the immune cell profile in the prolonged cases. We prospectively recruited four uncomplicated COVID-19 patients and four healthy controls (HCs) and evaluated the immune cell profile throughout the disease course. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected and submitted to a multi-panel flowcytometric assay. CD19+-B cells were upregulated, while CD4, CD8, and NK cells were downregulated in prolonged VRS patients. Additionally, the pro-inflammatory-Th1 population showed downregulation, followed by improvement along the disease course, while the immunoregulatory cells showed upregulation with subsequent decline. COVID-19 patients with longer VRS expressed an immune profile comparable to those with severe disease, although they remained clinically stable. Further studies of immune signature in a larger cohort are warranted.

scholarly journals Role of Small Molecule Targeted Compounds in Cancer: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoqiang Sun ◽  
Dawei Rong ◽  
Zhouxiao Li ◽  
Guangshun Sun ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Molecular Targeted Therapy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Clinical Drug

Research on molecular targeted therapy of tumors is booming, and novel targeted therapy drugs are constantly emerging. Small molecule targeted compounds, novel targeted therapy drugs, can be administered orally as tablets among other methods, and do not draw upon genes, causing no immune response. It is easily structurally modified to make it more applicable to clinical needs, and convenient to promote due to low cost. It refers to a hotspot in the research of tumor molecular targeted therapy. In the present study, we review the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved use of small molecule targeted compounds in tumors, summarize the clinical drug resistance problems and mechanisms facing the use of small molecule targeted compounds, and predict the future directions of the evolving field.

scholarly journals Histamine index and clinical expression of rheumatoid arthritis activity

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Tomic-Lucic ◽  
Suzana Pantovic ◽  
Gvozden Rosic ◽  
Zdravko Obradovic ◽  
Mirko Rosic
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Activity Score ◽  
Joint Destruction ◽  
Clinical Expression ◽  
Histamine Concentration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity

Background/Aim. Many arguments prove the pathophysiologic role of histamine in the process of remodeling and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of our study was to find out if there was a relation between histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood with clinical expression of disease activity. Methods. Histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood was determinated in 19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Histamine concentration measurement was based on the Shore's fluorometric method. Histamine index (HI) was evaluated as a ratio between histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood. Disease activity score, DAS 28 (3), with three variables (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the number of swelled joints and the number of tender joints) was also evaluated. Results. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in concentration of histamine in synovial fluid and blood related to disease activity. However, there was a significant difference in the histamine index which was increased proportionally with disease activity. Conclusion. Our study indicates that histamine index could be useful in estimation of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

scholarly journals Epigenetic dysregulation of ACE2 and interferon-regulated genes might suggest increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in lupus patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr H. Sawalha ◽  
Ming Zhao ◽  
Patrick Coit ◽  
Qianjin Lu
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Vicious Cycle ◽  
Respiratory Complications ◽  
Disease Remission ◽  
Functional Receptor

SummaryInfection caused by SARS-CoV-2 can result in severe respiratory complications and death. Patients with a compromised immune system are expected to be more susceptible to a severe disease course. In this report we suggest that patients with systemic lupus erythematous might be especially prone to severe COVID-19 independent of their immunosuppressed state from lupus treatment. Specially, we provide evidence in lupus to suggest hypomethylation and overexpression of ACE2, which is located on the X chromosome and encodes a functional receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Oxidative stress induced by viral infections exacerbates the DNA methylation defect in lupus, possibly resulting in further ACE2 hypomethylation and enhanced viremia. In addition, demethylation of interferon-regulated genes, NFκB, and key cytokine genes in lupus patients might exacerbate the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and increase the likelihood of cytokine storm. These arguments suggest that inherent epigenetic dysregulation in lupus might facilitate viral entry, viremia, and an excessive immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Further, maintaining disease remission in lupus patients is critical to prevent a vicious cycle of demethylation and increased oxidative stress, which will exacerbate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection during the current pandemic. Epigenetic control of the ACE2 gene might be a target for prevention and therapy in COVID-19.

scholarly journals Pattern Recognition Proteins: First Line of Defense Against Coronaviruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Labarrere ◽  
Ghassan S. Kassab
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Recognition Protein ◽  
Pattern Recognition Protein

The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China, has become a worldwide pandemic affecting almost 204 million people and causing more than 4.3 million deaths as of August 11 2021. This pandemic has placed a substantial burden on the global healthcare system and the global economy. Availability of novel prophylactic and therapeutic approaches are crucially needed to prevent development of severe disease leading to major complications both acutely and chronically. The success in fighting this virus results from three main achievements: (a) Direct killing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; (b) Development of a specific vaccine, and (c) Enhancement of the host’s immune system. A fundamental necessity to win the battle against the virus involves a better understanding of the host’s innate and adaptive immune response to the virus. Although the role of the adaptive immune response is directly involved in the generation of a vaccine, the role of innate immunity on RNA viruses in general, and coronaviruses in particular, is mostly unknown. In this review, we will consider the structure of RNA viruses, mainly coronaviruses, and their capacity to affect the lungs and the cardiovascular system. We will also consider the effects of the pattern recognition protein (PRP) trident composed by (a) Surfactant proteins A and D, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and complement component 1q (C1q), (b) C-reactive protein, and (c) Innate and adaptive IgM antibodies, upon clearance of viral particles and apoptotic cells in lungs and atherosclerotic lesions. We emphasize on the role of pattern recognition protein immune therapies as a combination treatment to prevent development of severe respiratory syndrome and to reduce pulmonary and cardiovascular complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 and summarize the need of a combined therapeutic approach that takes into account all aspects of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease to allow mankind to beat this pandemic killer.

scholarly journals On Cancer, COVID-19, and CT Scans: A Monocentric Retrospective Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 3935
Author(s):  
Francesca Martini ◽  
Andrea D’Alessio ◽  
Federico Bracchi ◽  
Daniela Di Mauro ◽  
Anna Fargnoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cardiovascular Comorbidities ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
High Incidence

Background The use of computed tomography (CT) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis in an area of northern Italy with a high incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may have identified more patients with this disease than RT-PCR in the very early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 148 chest CT scans of oncological patients who were referred to the Radiological Unit of Policlinico S. Marco from 1 February 2020 to 30 April 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak in Bergamo area. In parallel, we analyzed RT-PCR tests of these 148 patients. Results Among 32 patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19, 17 patients were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms (53.1%), while 15 developed severe disease (46.8%). The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 22.9%, the mortality rate was 18.8%. We did not find any correlation between disease severity and age, sex, smoking, or cardiovascular comorbidities. Remarkably, patients who were on treatment for cancer developed a milder disease than patients who were not on treatment. Conclusions The acceptance of CT-defined diagnoses in COVID-19 high-incidence areas like Bergamo region highlighted a larger oncological population affected by COVID-19 than RT-PCR, in particular, asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients, because only symptomatic patients underwent nasopharyngeal swabbing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed that patients actively treated for their cancer had a milder disease, in agreement with previous studies that suggested a protective role of immunosuppression. Admittedly, the sample of patients in our study was heterogeneous regarding the oncological disease, their prognosis, and the type of treatment; therefore, other studies are needed to confirm our data.

scholarly journals CO-RADS versus CT-SS scores in predicting severe COVID-19 patients: retrospective comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niveen E. Zayed ◽  
Manar A. Bessar ◽  
Samah Lutfy
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Retrospective Comparative Study ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Background The role of CT in assessing and plotting viral pulmonary affection land marking is its potential among other investigation tools, and the aim of the study was to compare the ability of two different CT-based scoring systems in discriminating severe COVID-19 disease. Results Retrospective comparative study included 142 confirmed COVID-19 patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, with different degrees of disease (mild to severe), the data of patients collected from medical records, and patients with their first CT chest read for calculating CO-RADS and severity scoring system (CT-SS) score. The patients with severe COVID-19 disease were significantly older and had different comorbidities. The level of C-reactive protein, ESR, ferritin, and LDH were significantly higher in severe disease, P < 0.001. The ability of CT chest and its score bases (CT-SS and CO-RADS) were accurate in differentiation between mild/moderate and severe disease; AUC were 89% and 97%, respectively. The cutoff value of less than 7.5 and 4.5 for CT-SS and CO-RADS, respectively, can rule out severe COVID-19 by 90% and 97%, respectively. Conclusions CT chest play a segregate role in COVID-19 disease, add on an advantage in clinical data in triage, and highlight the decision of hospital admission.

scholarly journals Interleukin-35 inhibited production of histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines through suppression MAPKs pathway in HMC-1 cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Chen ◽  
Lixin Fu ◽  
Qiaomei Sun ◽  
Peimei Zhou ◽  
Zai-pei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Human Mast Cell ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Response System ◽  
Mast Cell Line ◽  
Anti Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Background: IL-35 is a newly anti-inflammatory cytokine which belong to the IL-12 family. Mast cells, as one of the major effector cells in the immune response system, play important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticarial (CSU). The aim of our study is to explore the inhibited role of IL-35 in HMC-1. Methods: The effects of IL-35 on cell proliferation, cytokine expression and histamine release in human mast cell line (HMC­1) were investigated by CCK8, ELISA or RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2, in PMA and A23187 induced HMC-1 cells were detected by Western Blot.Results: We found that IL-35 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA and A23187. IL-35 also down-regulates the released of histamine and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-17 in activated HMC-1. Furthermore, IL-35 markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2, in PMA and A23187 induced HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: This study provides first observations on the inhibitory and anti-inflammtory effect of IL-35 on activated HMC-1 cells. We suggest that IL35 may play an inhibited role in the pathogenesis of CSU.

scholarly journals On Cancer, COVID-19 and CT Scan: A Monocentric Retrospective Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Martini ◽  
Andrea D'Alessio ◽  
Federico Bracchi ◽  
Daniela Di Mauro ◽  
Anna Fargnoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cardiovascular Comorbidities ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
High Prevalence

Background The acknowledgment of computed tomography (CT) defined diagnosis in high prevalence northern Italy may identify more patients with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID 19) infection, than RT-PCR alone. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 148 chest CT scans of oncological patients who were referred to the Radiological Unit of Policlinico S. Marco from 1st of February 2020 to 30th of April 2020, during the Covid-19 outbreak in Bergamo area. Therefore, we analyzed RT-PCR tests of these 148 patients. Results Among 32 patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 infection: 17 patients were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms (53.1%), while 15 developed severe disease (46.8%). The incidence of COVID-19 infection is 22.9%, the mortality rate is 18.8%. Severe COVID-19 disease is associated with higher median age. We did not find any correlation between disease severity and sex, smoke or cardiovascular comorbidities. Remarkably, patients who were on treatment developed milder disease than cancer patients who were not on treatment. Conclusions The acceptance of CT-defined diagnosis in high prevalence area like Bergamo highlighted a larger number of COVID-19 oncological population than RT-PCR alone, in particular asymptomatic and mild symptomatic patients. We observed that actively treated patients had milder disease, according to previous studies that suggested a protective role of immunosuppression.

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