Remission of lupus nephritis with cyclophosphamide and late relapses following therapy withdrawal

We describe the long-term follow-up of severe lupus nephritis treated with cyclophosphamide, with emphasis on the incidence of relapses after therapy withdrawal. From a cohort of SLE patients followed over a period of twelve years, we review the charts of the eleven with histologic evidence of class IV nephritis who reached complete remission with cyclophosphamide and who were followed for more than four years after the discontinuation. In all patients, cyclophosphamide was maintained for longer than two years after complete remission. Four patients relapsed following therapy withdrawal (36%). Sequential biopsies were taken in eight patients after remission or relapse and show a good histologic correlation with clinical renal data. Clinical remission with re-induction therapy could not be achieved in two patients after relapse. We conclude that relapse is frequently observed following cyclophosphamide withdrawal in lupus patients with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis initially responsive to this therapy. Studies are needed to determine the influence of different regimes of maintenance therapy on the rate of relapses.

Fibrogenic growth factors in the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and the toxic oil syndrome

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN

We sought to determine if growth factors of potential pathogenetic significance are deposited in the skin, muscle, and peripheral nerve lesions of eosinophilia-myalgia (EMS) and toxic oil syndrome. Immunohistochemical studies using affinity-purified peroxidase-conjugated antibodies to detect transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factorAA and growth factorBB, fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and interleukin 4 were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Seven skin biopsy specimens from EMS, six skin biopsy specimens from toxic oil syndrome, nine muscle biopsy specimens from EMS, and one sural nerve biopsy specimen from EMS were studied.

RESULTS

Growth factor staining was noted primarily in the epidermis and periappendageal locations of the dermis. The presence of TGF-beta and platelet-derived growth factorAA in the periappendageal dermis was significantly more prevalent in EMS than toxic oil syndrome (57% vs 0%). Prominent staining of transforming growth factor-beta was also present in the perimysial connective tissue of five (63%) of eight EMS muscle biopsy specimens and one sural nerve biopsy specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies implicate transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factorAA as potentially important cytokines in EMS and suggest that the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis in EMS and toxic oil syndrome may be dependent on different growth factors.

Successful intrauterine therapy with dexamethasone for fetal myocarditis and heart block in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

We describe a case of successful intrauterine treatment with dexamethasone for fetal carditis in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. Targeted dual M-mode fetal echocardiogram showed disappearance of pericardial effusion and heart failure with therapy. The maternofetal pair had several of the factors considered a risk for passively transmitted autoimmune carditis. Our case further supports the evidence that dexamethasone could be effective for intrauterine treatment of this clinical situation.

Expression of types I, III and IV collagen genes in fibrotic skin and nerve lesions of toxic oil syndrome patients

We have studied the skin and nerve fibrosis in toxic oil syndrome by in situ hybridization using specific cDNA probes for types I, III, and IV collagens. Fibroblasts with high levels of type I and III collagen mRNA were observed in biopsies from fibrotic skin areas. Similarly, type IV collagen mRNA was abundant in cells within the fibrotic process of the nerves. These results suggest that the excessive accumulation of collagen in toxic oil syndrome results from transcriptional activation of collagen genes in a subpopulation of fibroblasts.

Both HLA class II and class III DNA polymorphisms are linked to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility

HLA-DR5 and DRw8 are not significantly linked to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in the Spanish population. However, we have found restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) beta DR-2.9-kb-EcoRI and C4-14.3-kb-EcoRI, that correlate significantly with JRA. Eighty-six percent of our patients present either HLA-DR5 or the beta DR-2.9-kb-EcoRI allogenotope or lack the C4-14.3-kb-EcoRI allogenotope compared to 48% in controls; however, these particular DR and C4 RFLPs may not represent the corresponding DRB1 or C4 genes but rather neighboring ones which may be relevant to confer JRA susceptibility. The C4-14.3-kb-EcoRI RFLP decrease in patients may reflect a decrease in C4 B "long" phenotypes. Also, both RFLPs are the only markers able to identify most of the JRA patients in our population. On the other hand, the findings of both class II and III genes associated to JRA may reflect the existence of epistatic interactions (cis or trans) within the HLA gene cluster which lead to a particular pathology in certain diseases.

Male lupus: retrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory features of 52 patients, with a review of the literature

In conclusion, in a review of 52 male lupus patients we found an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia and renal disease without any other notable differences in clinical, laboratory, or serological parameters. Of further interest was the finding of an early peak in the age of onset of disease resembling that found among female SLE patients, and a generally poor prognosis as has been reported by others.

A review of peripheral tuberculous arthritis

There is a clear difference between TB infection and TB. Transition from the former to the latter involves host factors and perhaps environmental elements. Currently, more individuals with immunosuppressive situations caused by aging, debilitating diseases, immunosuppressive therapies, and HIV-III infection are predisposed to secondary forms of TB. Different patterns of clinical presentation, at variance with those previously described, could result from these changes in the host. PTBA is a good example. In the present review of 52 patients, we found that patient age is rising, as has been reported in other western countries. We also found that oligoarthritis and involvement of non-weight-bearing joints is becoming more common. From the diagnostic point of view, histological studies and cultures of synovial tissue remain the most reliable tests. Awareness of these factors, recognition of changing patterns, proper use of diagnostic procedures, and early treatment should improve the outcome of patients.

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

CRP levels in 194 serum samples from 43 SLE patients were measured. Patients with inactive disease have levels below 10 micrograms/ml; patients with active SLE have higher levels, but never over 50 micrograms/ml. In the presence of infection or inflammatory processes, regardless of the activity of SLE, the levels are significantly higher (p less than 0.05), and well over 50 micrograms/ml. Both active SLE patients and inactive SLE patients with local infections have levels between 10 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml. In this situation, the presence of anti-DNA antibodies strongly suggests disease activity (82% versus 9%, p less than 0.05). The clinical and physiopathological meaning of these findings is discussed.

Toxic epidemic syndrome: musculoskeletal manifestations

The musculoskeletal manifestations of a new systemic disease that developed after toxic oil consumption are described. Clinically, it was characterized by the presence of arthralgias, sometimes arthritis, extensive muscle atrophy, severe neuropathy and a scleroderma-like skin involvement. Radiologically, different types of osteopenia could be seen in the absence of joint space narrowing or erosions. Neither hypertrophy, nor hyperplasia of synoviocytes were seen on microscopic examination. A non-necrotizing vasculitis and increase in fibrous tissue were observed at different levels.

Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery as a complication of an osteochondroma

This is a report of mechanical compression and transection of the popliteal artery by an osteochondroma, documented angiographically and pathologically, in a patient hospitalized for endocarditis.