scholarly journals A Prospective Observational Study of Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment in Progressive Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis of Recent Onset

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241-1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
FABIAN A. MENDOZA ◽  
SARAH J. NAGLE ◽  
JASON B. LEE ◽  
SERGIO A. JIMENEZ
Keyword(s):  
Mycophenolate Mofetil ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Skin Biopsies

Objective.A prospective observational study of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment in patients with diffuse progressive cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) of recent onset.Methods.Twenty-five previously untreated consecutive patients with recent-onset (< 24 mo) diffuse progressive cutaneous SSc received MMF as the only disease-modifying therapy. Modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and affected body surface area (BSA) were compared from initiation of MMF to study end. Pulmonary function tests performed at the same institution before therapy and at study end were available in 15 patients. Histopathology and real-time PCR assessment of fibrosis-related gene expression were performed before and after treatment in skin biopsies from 3 patients.Results.At 18.2 ± 8.73 months of MMF therapy (median 2000 mg/day) the mRSS decreased from 24.56 ± 8.62 to 14.52 ± 10.9 (p = 0.0004) and the affected BSA from 36% ± 16% to 14% ± 13.3% (p = 0.00001). Pulmonary function tests remained stable from initiation of MMF to the end of the study. Skin histopathology showed a remarkable reduction in accumulation of fibrotic tissue. Real-time PCR of skin biopsies demonstrated a marked decrease in expression of fibrosis-related genes.Conclusion.Patients with diffuse progressive cutaneous SSc of recent onset treated with MMF experienced marked improvement in skin involvement and stabilization of pulmonary function. Skin biopsies from 3 patients demonstrated histopathological improvement and decreased expression of fibrosis-related genes.

scholarly journals Serum IGFBP-2 in systemic sclerosis as a prognostic factor of lung dysfunction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Guiot ◽  
Makon-Sébastien Njock ◽  
Béatrice André ◽  
Fanny Gester ◽  
Monique Henket ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Prognostic Factor ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Lung Dysfunction

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapid evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific biomarkers associated with the progression of this lung disease are highly needed. We aimed to identify specific biomarkers of SSc-ILD to predict the evolution of the disease. For this, we compared prospectively serum levels of several biomarkers associated with lung fibrosis in SSc patients (n = 102), among which SSc-no ILD (n = 63) and SSc-ILD (n = 39), compared to healthy subjects (HS) (n = 39). We also performed a longitudinal study in a subgroup of 28 patients analyzing biomarkers variations and pulmonary function tests over a period of 2 years. Serum level of IGFBP-2 was significantly increased in SSc patients compared to HS, and negatively correlated with pulmonary function (assessed by carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO)) (r = − 0.29, p < 0.01). Two-year longitudinal analysis in a subgroup of 28 SSc patients determined that IGFBP-2 variation was positively correlated with KCO at 2-year follow-up (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). SSc patients with a lower variation of IGFBP-2 (less than 22%) presented significant deterioration of pulmonary function at 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01). ROC curve analysis enabled us to identify that baseline IGFBP-2 > 105 ng/ml was associated with a poor outcome (KCO < 70% predicted) at 2-year follow-up (AUC = 0.75, p < 0.05). We showed for the first time that serum levels of IGFBP-2 might be a prognostic factor of the development of SSc-ILD.

scholarly journals Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA in Nasopharyngeal Swabs after Death: An Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
Francesca Servadei ◽  
Silvestro Mauriello ◽  
Manuel Scimeca ◽  
Bartolo Caggiano ◽  
Marco Ciotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Pcr Detection ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Clinical Documentation ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Medical Assistance ◽  
Time Points

The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in post-mortem swabs of subjects who died from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The presence of the virus was evaluated post-mortem from airways of 27 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at three different time points (T1 2 h; T2 12 h; T3 24 h) by real-time PCR. Detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was performed by Maglumi 2019-nCoV IgM/IgG chemiluminescence assay. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was still detectable in 70.3% of cases within 2 h after death and in 66,6% of cases up to 24 h after death. Our data showed an increase of the viral load in 78,6% of positive individuals 24 h post-mortem (T3) in comparison to that evaluated 2 h after death (T1). Noteworthy, we detected a positive T3 post-mortem swab (24 h after death) from 4 subjects who were negative at T1 (2 h after death). The results of our study may have an important value in the management of deceased subjects not only with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, but also for unspecified causes and in the absence of clinical documentation or medical assistance.

scholarly journals Circulating Gut-Homing (α4β7+) Plasmablast Responses against Shigella Surface Protein Antigens among Hospitalized Patients with Diarrhea

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 610-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Sinha ◽  
Ayan Dey ◽  
Giulietta Saletti ◽  
Pradip Samanta ◽  
Partha Sarathi Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Protein Antigens ◽  
Magnetic Cell Sorting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Microbiological Methods ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Antibody Secreting Cells

Developing countries are burdened withShigelladiarrhea. Understanding mucosal immune responses associated with naturalShigellainfection is important to identify potential correlates of protection and, as such, to design effective vaccines. We performed a comparative analysis of circulating mucosal plasmablasts producing specific antibodies against highly conserved invasive plasmid antigens (IpaC, IpaD20, and IpaD120) and two recently identified surface protein antigens,pan-Shigellasurfaceprotein antigen 1 (PSSP1) and PSSP2, common to all virulentShigellastrains. We examined blood and stool specimens from 37 diarrheal patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases & Beliaghata General Hospital, Kolkata, India. The etiological agent of diarrhea was investigated in stool specimens by microbiological methods and real-time PCR. Gut-homing (α4β7+) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) were isolated from patient blood by means of combined magnetic cell sorting and two-color enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay. Overall, 57% (21 of 37) and 65% (24 of 37) of the patients were positive forShigellainfection by microbiological and real-time PCR assays, respectively. The frequency of α4β7+IgG ASC responders against Ipas was higher than that observed against PSSP1 or PSSP2, regardless of theShigellaserotype isolated from these patients. Thus, α4β7+ASC responses to Ipas may be considered an indirect marker ofShigellainfection. The apparent weakness of ASC responses to PSSP1 is consistent with the lack of cross-protection induced by naturalShigellainfection. The finding that ASC responses to IpaD develop in patients with recent-onset shigellosis indicates that such responses may not be protective or may wane too rapidly and/or be of insufficient magnitude.

A GeNorm algorithm-based selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in skin biopsies of healthy dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis

2009 ◽  
Vol 129 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 115-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvette M. Schlotter ◽  
Eveline Z. Veenhof ◽  
Bas Brinkhof ◽  
Victor P.M.G. Rutten ◽  
Bart Spee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Reference Genes ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Skin Biopsies ◽  
Healthy Dogs ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals Capillaroscopic nail fold changes in collagen vascular diseases: A prospective observational study from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Western India

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-352
Author(s):  
Ratnakar Shukla ◽  
Sheena Kapoor ◽  
Sharmila Patil ◽  
Anant Patil
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Raynaud’S Phenomenon ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Collagen Vascular Diseases

: To examine nail changes with capillaroscopy in patients with collagen vascular diseases. In this prospective observational study, patients with collagen vascular diseases presented to dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care center were subjected to capillaroscopy. Structural and morphological abnormalities in these patients were noted. Fifty patients (Mean age 38.2 years; 86% females) with mean disease duration of 1.96 years were included. Patients with systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus constituted 34% and 32% patients respectively. Twenty two (44%) patients had presence of dilated nail fold capillary loops. Out of 17 patients with systemic sclerosis, 15(88.23%) and 14(87.5%) showed dilated nail fold capillary loops and capillary drop-pouts respectively. Capillary dropouts were observed in 14(82.35%) patients. Raynaud’s phenomenon, splinter hemorrhage and fingertip scarring was observed in 11(64.71%), six (35.29%) and 33(17.65%) patients respectively. Ragged cuticle was observed in four (25%) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In our study, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus were two most common disorders. Dilated nail fold capillary loops/giant capillaries were the most common observation in overall population. Dilated nail fold capillary loops, capillary dropouts, Raynaud’s phenomenon, splinter hemorrhage and fingertip scarring were common in patients with systemic sclerosis.

scholarly journals Real-time PCR on skin biopsies for super-spreaders’ detection in bovine besnoitiosis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Grisez ◽  
Leslie Bottari ◽  
Françoise Prévot ◽  
Jean-Pierre Alzieu ◽  
Emmanuel Liénard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
Skin Sample ◽  
Production Type ◽  
Bovine Besnoitiosis ◽  
Skin Biopsies

Abstract Background: Bovine besnoitiosis, an emerging disease in Europe that can be transmitted by vectors, is caused by the Apicomplexa Besnoitia besnoiti. Bovine besnoitiosis is difficult to control due to the complexity of its diagnosis in the acute stage of the disease, poor treatment success and chronically asymptomatic cattle acting as parasite reservoirs. When serological prevalence is low, detection and specific culling of seropositive cattle is feasible; however, economic considerations preclude this approach when serological prevalence is high. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of detection of super-spreaders in highly infected herds and to test their selective elimination as a new control strategy for bovine besnoitiosis. Methods: Previous real-time PCR analyses performed on skin tissues from 160 asymptomatic animals sampled at slaughterhouses showed that the tail base was the best location to evaluate the dermal parasite DNA load. All seropositive animals (N = 518) from eight dairy or beef cattle farms facing a high serological prevalence of besnoitiosis were sampled at the tail base and their skin sample analysed by real-time PCR. A recommendation of rapid and selective culling of super-spreaders was formulated and provided to the cattle breeders. Subsequent serological monitoring of naïve animals was used to evaluate the interest of this control strategy over time.Results: Among the 518 seropositive animals, a low proportion of individuals (14.5%) showed Ct values below 36, 17.8% had doubtful results (36 < Ct ≤ 40) and 67.8% had negative PCR results. These proportions were grossly similar on the eight farms, regardless of their production type (beef or dairy cattle), size, geographic location or history of besnoitiosis. Within two weeks of the biopsy, the rapid culling of super-spreaders was implemented on only three farms. The numbers of newly infected animals were lower on these farms compared to those where super-spreaders were maintained in the herd. Conclusions: Real-time PCR analyses performed on skin biopsies of seropositive cattle showed huge individual variabilities in parasite DNA load. The rapid culling of individuals considered as super-spreaders seems to be a new and encouraging strategy for bovine besnoitiosis control.

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