scholarly journals Epidemiology, mortality and effectiveness of prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia among rheumatic patients: a territory-wide study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Chiu Wai Chan ◽  
Ho Yin Chung ◽  
Chak Sing Lau ◽  
Philip Hei Li
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Number Needed To Treat ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Pneumocystis Jiroveci ◽  
Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Calculated Number ◽  
Rheumatic Patients

Abstract Background Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic infection affecting immunocompromised individuals. However, evidence regarding the burden and effectiveness of prophylaxis among rheumatic patients remains limited. Delineating the epidemiology and efficacy of prophylaxis among rheumatic patients is urgently needed. Methods We performed a territory-wide cohort study of rheumatic patients in Hong Kong. All patients with a diagnosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV), immune-mediated myositis (IMM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), or spondyloarthritis (SpA) between 2015 and 2019 were included. Prevalence, frequency of prophylaxis and mortality of PJP were calculated. Number needed to treat (NNT) analysis was also performed. Results Out of 21,587 patients (54% RA, 25% SLE, 13% SpA, 5% IMM, 2% AAV and 1% SSc), 1141 (5.3%) patients were prescribed PJP prophylaxis. 48/21,587 (0.2%) developed PJP. No patients who developed PJP received prophylaxis prior to infection. The incidence of PJP was highest among SSc, AAV, and IMM patients. Among these diseases, the majority of PJP occurred while patients were on glucocorticoids at daily prednisolone-equivalent doses of 15 mg/day (P15) or above. PJP prophylaxis was effective with NNT for SSc, AAV and IIM being 36, 48 and 114 respectively. There were 19 PJP-related mortalities and the mortality rate was 39.6%. Conclusion PJP is an uncommon but important infection among rheumatic patients, PJP prophylaxis is effective and should be considered in patients with SSc, AAV and IMM, especially those receiving glucocorticoid doses above P15.

scholarly journals Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Native LL37 and Citrullinated LL37 That Discriminate the Two LL37 Forms in the Skin and Circulation of Cutaneous/Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Antibodies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Lande ◽  
Raffaella Palazzo ◽  
Philippe Hammel ◽  
Immacolata Pietraforte ◽  
Isabelle Surbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Cationic Amino Acids ◽  
B And T Lymphocytes

Human cathelicidin LL37 is a cationic antimicrobial peptide active against bacteria and viruses and exerting immune modulatory functions. LL37 can be also a target of autoreactive B- and T-lymphocytes in autoimmune settings. Irreversible post-translational modifications, such as citrullination and carbamylation, mainly occurring at the level of cationic amino acids arginine and lysine, can affect the inflammatory properties and reduce antibacterial effects. Moreover, these modifications could be implicated in the rupture of immune tolerance to LL37 in chronic conditions such as psoriatic disease and cutaneous lupus (LE)/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we describe the generation and fine specificity of six recombinant antibodies (MRB137–MRB142), produced as a monovalent mouse antibody with the antigen-binding scFv portion fused to a mouse IgG2a Fc, and their ability to recognize either native or citrullinated LL37 (cit-LL37) and not cross-react to carbamylated LL37. By using these antibodies, we detected native LL37 or cit-LL37 in SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sera, and in LE skin, by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Such antibodies represent previously unavailable and useful tools to address relationships between the presence of post-translational modified LL37 and the immune system status (in terms of innate/adaptive responses activation) and the clinical characteristics of patients affected by chronic immune-mediated diseases or infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Dual threat of comorbidity of celiac disease and systemic lupus erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 030006052110122
Author(s):  
Yimin Ma ◽  
Duanming Zhuang ◽  
Zhenguo Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Failure To Thrive ◽  
Severe Malnutrition ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Electrolyte Disorders ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Immune Mediated

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated intestinal disease that is characterized by production of autoantibodies directed against the small intestine. The main clinical manifestations of CD are typically defined as those related to indigestion and malabsorption. These manifestations include unexplained diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, anemia, failure-to-thrive in children, and decreased bone density. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, which may also involve the gastrointestinal tract. Comorbidity of CD and SLE is rare, and the overlapping symptoms and nonspecific clinical presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. We report here a case of SLE with CD, which mainly manifested as recurrent diarrhea, uncorrectable electrolyte disorders, and severe malnutrition. Through review, we hope to further improve our understanding and diagnostic level of this combination of diseases.

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