Marine-Lenhart syndrome in a young girl

Graves' disease is the most common reason of hyperthyroidism in children. Graves' disease with accompanying functioning nodules is defined as Marine-Lenhart syndrome. This syndrome has not been described in children before. Here, a 15-year-old girl with Graves' disease and a coexisting cold nodule is presented. A thyroid scan showed diffuse uptake of Tc-99m pertechnatate in both lobes and decreased uptake in accordance with the left lobe nodule. The nodule was histologically diagnosed as benign. The patient was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and polyglandular autoimmune syndrome during clinical follow-up. The differential diagnoses of Graves' disease with coexisting nodules should include the Marine-Lenhart syndrome. Treatment options should be determined taking this rare condition into account.

Response of pure red cell aplasia to cyclophosphamide after failure of mycofenolate mofetil in a patient with polyglandular syndrome type I

A 26-year-old female with the classic major and minor components of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 was diagnosed as having pure red cell aplasia. Treatment with 1.5 g/d mycofenolate mofetil for 3 months failed to restore erythroid production. Treatment with cyclosporine A produced a good partial response but led to renal toxicity and was therefore substituted with cyclophosphamide, which had a good partial effect and lasted for 18 months. The relapse of anemia was not observed during the 6-month follow-up period after the cessation of treatment.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2, alopecia universalis and Crohn's disease

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are defined as a spectrum of association between 2 or more organ specific endocrinopaties and non-endocrine autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes type 2 is characterized by the coexistence of adrenal failure with autoimmune thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus type 1. Inflammatory bowel diseases are rarely associated with these autoimmune disorders. Here, we report about a case of 33 years old male with known history of Crohn's colitis diagnosed in childhood. In 2003 the patient experienced sudden loss of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard and body hair - alopecia universalis was diagnosed. At the age of 28, the patient was hospitalized with severe dehydration and clinical signs of ketoacidosis. Increased blood glucose (40 mmol/L), ketonuria and metabolic acidosis indicated diabetes mellitus type 1. In 2005, he had severe relapse of Crohn's disease and was treated with systemic corticosteroid. Although patient responded well to the induction therapy, fatigue, hypotension, bradycardia called for further investigations: free thyroxine - 6.99 pmol/L, thyroid-stimulating hormone >75 U/ml, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies >1000 U/mL, so diagnosis of Haschimoto thyroiditis was confirmed. Persistent hypotension and fatigue, recurrent hypoglycemic crises indicated a possible presence of hypo-function of adrenal glands. After complete withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy, low cortisol levels (69.4 nmol/L) and positive tetracosactide stimulation test proved adrenal cortex failure. Regardless of the intensive treatment for diabetes, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency and Crohn's disease, it was extremely difficult to achieve and maintain control of all four diseases.

Autoimmune retinopathy in a patient with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I

PURPOSE

To present a case of autoimmune retinopathy resulting from a mutation in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene.

DESIGN

Case study.

METHODS

Case review.

RESULTS

Mild improvement of goldmann visual field following treatment with systemic and local immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONS

There are a limited number of cases linking autoimmune retinopathy with a mutation in the AIRE gene. Further research is needed to find more effective treatment and to prevent tissue damage.

Gastrointestinal manifestations in APECED syndrome

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) (or autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene. It causes a loss in central immune tolerance, failure to eliminate autoreactive T cells in the thymus, and their escape to the periphery. APECED patients are susceptible to mucocutaneous candidiasis and multiple endocrine and nonendocrine autoimmune diseases. Although it depends on the series, approximately 25% of APECED patients are affected by gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations, mainly autoimmune-related disorders like autoimmune hepatitis, atrophic gastritis with or without pernicious anemia (Biermer disease), intestinal infections, and malabsorption. In contrast to the major organ-specific autoimmune symptoms of APECED, the GI symptoms and their underlying pathogenesis are poorly understood. Yet isolated case reports and small series depict severe intestinal involvement in children, leading to malabsorption, multiple deficiencies, growth impairment, and possible death. Moreover, very few systematic studies of GI function with intestinal biopsies have been performed. GI symptoms may be the first manifestation of APECED, yet they may have various causes; effective treatment will therefore vary. We provide here an updated review of GI manifestations in APECED, including principles of diagnosis and therapy.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome III in a patient with idiopathic portal hypertension

A 42-year-old woman with a history of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) developed type 1A diabetes and was found to have chronic thyroiditis. The concurrence of IPH and type 1A diabetes has been previously reported in only one case. This is the second known case, and our patient was classified as having autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) III. The patient's HLA DR and DQ alleles were determined to be susceptible to autoimmune thyroid diseases but resistant to type 1A diabetes.

Reversible cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II

Recovery of the ventricular function in a patient with cardiomyopathy is very rare. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome is also very rare. We herein report a case of reversed cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II (Schmidt's syndrome) composed of Addison's disease, vitiligo and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The ventricular function and size were reversed following the administration of suitable hormone replacement therapy for polyendocrine syndrome.

Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndromes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome (PAS III) is composed of autoimmune thyroid diseases associated with endocrinopathy other than adrenal insufficiency. This syndrome is associated with organ-specific and organ-nonspecific or systemic autoimmune diseases. The frequency of PAS syndromes in diabetic children is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of PAS III in children with diabetes mellitus type 1.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study consisted of 461 patients with diabetes mellitus type 1(T1DM), who were 1-19 years of age. TSH, free thyroxin, TPO autoantibodies, and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were determined annually. Autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed in children with positive tests for TPO Ab and Tg Ab and thyroid parenchymal hypogenicity in the ultrasound investigation. Elevated TSI antibodies were used to diagnose Graves' disease. Additionally, Anti-Endomysial Antibodies IgA class were determined every year as screening for celiac disease. During clinical control, other autoimmune diseases were diagnosed. Adrenal function was examined by the diurnal rhythm of cortisol.

RESULTS

PAS III was diagnosed in 14.5% children: PAS IIIA (T1DM and autoimmune thyroiditis) was recognized in 11.1 % and PAS III C (T1DM and other autoimmune disorders: celiac disease, and JIA, psoriasis and vitiligo) in 3.5% children. PAS IIIA was more prevalent in girls than in boys - 78.4% versus 21.6% (p<0.05). PAS III was observed between 1-5 years of life in 66.6% children; the frequency decreased in consecutive years and successively increased in the adolescence period to 22.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

PAS III occurs in 14.5% of children with DM type1 and the incidence is positively correlated with patients' age and female gender. Children with PAS III should be carefully monitored as a group at risk for the development of other autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome: an unusual presentation with empty sella, premature ovarian failure, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancer

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are rare disorders characterized by failure of several endocrine glands, as well as non-endocrine organs, associated with immune-mediated tissue destruction. We report a rare case of polyglandular syndrome type II in a patient who presented with premature ovarian failure, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and empty sella associated with a diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. This case probably represents the first report on this tumor in a patient with polyglandular disorder.

Management of squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus in a patient with a polyglandular endocrinopathy (APECED) and achalasia

INTRODUCTION

We report a case of a 37-year-old man, with a background of a rare polyglandular autoimmune syndrome and achalasia, who developed an oesophageal tumour. Both autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) or type I polyglandular syndrome and achalasia confer increased risk of development of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Despite having had multiple endoscopic examinations and dilatations in the recent past, this patient presented with dysphagia, and on endoscopy, he was found to have a mid-oesophageal tumour. A multidisciplinary team approach was vital in his management as careful monitoring of underlying disorders including Addison's disease and hypoparathyroidism were challenging during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and in the perioperative period.

RESULTS

He made an uneventful recovery after a three-stage oesophagectomy, and histologically, he had a complete pathological response.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first successful outcome of a patient with APECED and oesophageal carcinoma in the literature.

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA)--type 2 with diabetic ketoacidosis

The authors report a rare case of a 5 y old girl with type 2 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, also called Schmidt syndrome, who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at admission.

A patient with recurrent attacks of drowsiness and lethargy--a diagnosis not to be missed

Polyglandular auto-immune syndromes are uncommon constellation of organ specific auto-immune diseases, characterised by the existence of two or more endocrinopathies. Polyglandular autoimmune type II syndrome also known as Schmidt's syndrome is more common, comprising Addison's disease, auto-immune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus and/or hypogonadism, pernicious anaemia, coeliac disease, vitiligo, hypophysitis, etc. Here a case of a 56-year-old man is reported with a prior history of hypothyroidism who presented with adrenal crisis. Further laboratory investigations revealed primary auto-immune hypothyroidism, primary adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadism and he was diagnosed as a case of polyglandular auto-immune type II syndrome or Schmidt's syndrome. Early recognition of the syndrome and replacement therapy can be life saving, particularly when there is adrenal or thyroid insufficiency.

Prevalence and significance of NALP5 autoantibodies in patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism

CONTEXT

Role of parathyroid autoimmunity in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH) is not clear. Recently, parathyroid-specific NACHT leucine-rich-repeat protein 5 (NALP5) autoantibodies (Ab) have been reported in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to assess prevalence and significance of NALP5 Ab in patients with IH.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This was a case-control study at a tertiary care hospital.

SUBJECTS

Subjects included 145 patients with IH recruited from 1998-2011 and 152 healthy controls.

METHODS

Immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot (WB) assays were performed using ³⁵S-labeled NALP5 protein produced by in vitro transcription-translation and recombinant NALP5 protein in Escherichia coli, respectively. AIRE gene sequencing was performed in NALP5 Ab-positive patients.

RESULTS

One of 145 patients (0.69%) and none of the 152 controls had NALP5 Ab on IP assay. Nine of 147 patients (6.12%) and four of 152 controls (2.63%) had NALP5 Ab on WB. One patient with NALP5 Ab on IP (36.6 sd score), also positive on WB, had a frameshift p.Ala386Serfs*38 AIRE gene mutation and adrenocortical Ab. Eight subjects with NALP5 Ab detected on WB had normal AIRE gene sequence.

CONCLUSIONS

IP is currently the best assay to detect clinically relevant NALP5 Ab. Presence of NALP5 Ab in only one patient with IH who also had AIRE gene mutation suggests that these Ab are exceptionally rare in IH (0.69%) and, when present, occur in context of the autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome.

Loss of enteroendocrine cells in autoimmune-polyendocrine-candidiasis-ectodermal-dystrophy (APECED) syndrome with gastrointestinal dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Enteroendocrine (EE) cells are necessary for the regulation of gastrointestinal function. The lack of intestinal enteroendocrine cells in enteroendocrine cell dysgenesis causes severe malabsorptive diarrhea. Autoimmune-polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal-dystrophy (APECED) is often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

AIMS

We hypothesized that an autoimmune attack against the cells of the GI-associated diffuse endocrine system may be a specific feature of GI dysfunction in APECED disorders.

METHODS

Biopsies were obtained during routine diagnostic endoscopy from 35 pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms as well as from five healthy controls; biopsies were immunostained for chromogranin A and serotonin. Four patients were classified as APECED syndrome on molecular and clinical grounds.

RESULTS

Immunohistological analysis of biopsies along the GI tract (stomach, duodenum, colon) immunostained with chromogranin A and serotonin revealed a widespread reduction or complete loss of EE cells in all four patients with APECED syndrome suffering from severe diarrhea, vomiting, malabsorption, or constipation. In contrast, EE cells were present in pediatric patients with similar gastrointestinal symptoms caused by inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, lymphocytic colitis, and autoimmune disorders without endocrinopathy or graft vs. host disease of the gut.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction of EE cells is a specific and important early event in the pathogenesis of APECED with GI dysfunction. We propose a diagnostic algorithm integrating clinics, genetics and immunohistology.

[Diagnostics and treatment of polyglandular syndrome of adults]

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS) are rare endocrinopathies characterized by the coexistence of at least two glandular autoimmune diseases. APS comprise a wide spectrum of autoimmune disorders and are divided into a very rare juvenile (APS type 1) and a more common adult type with (APS 2) or without adrenal failure (APS 3). The first clinical manifestations of APS 1 usually occur in childhood whereas APS 2 mostly occurs during the third and fourth decades of life. The third type has been described in adults that, contrary to types 1 and 2, does not involve the adrenal cortex. No clinical differences between types 2 and 3 have been described except the absence of adrenal failure. Type 4 APS is a rare syndrome characterized by the combination of autoimmune conditions not falling into the above categories. It consists of adrenal failure with one or more minor autoimmune disorders barring major components of type 1 and 2 APS. Usually, autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome of adults manifests itself as one of the major autoimmune diseases (such as adrenal failure, Grave's disease, or type 1 diabetes) and minor autoimmune disorders (vitiligo, alopecia) preceding the development of autoimmune deficiency of major endocrine glands. This article describes a patient with type 3 APS, who developed type 1 diabetes. Grave's disease and vitiligo. The development of the syndrome started from vitiligo in the chidhood. Moreover, the patient suffered primary sterility and presented with progressive diabetic nephropathy of autoimmune origin. It is concluded that patients with a single autoimmune component of polyendocrine syndrome should be screened to exclude other autoimmune endocrine disorders.

Coexistence of growth hormone deficiency and autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3

Both adult-onset growth hormone deficiency and autoimmune polyglandular syndrome are more frequent clinical entities than previously thought. In light of research carried out in recent years, it seems that growth hormone deficiency may be associated with proinflammatory state. This study describes a unique case of adult-onset growth hormone deficiency secondary to a traumatic brain injury in a young man, which was followed by the development of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3. We discuss diagnostic and treatment dilemmas associated with discovering and management of both disorders in this patient. We conclude that in predisposed individuals growth hormone deficiency may lead to the development of autoimmune disorders of endocrine glands and/or exacerbate their clinical course.

[Thyrotropin secreting pituitary adenoma in a child: case report and literature review]

We present a case of 11-year old boy with Type 1 Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome and thyrotropin secreting pituitary adenoma, which was diagnosed by elevated TSH and thyroid hormones levels and MRI signs of pituitary tumor and without clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism. He underwent partial resection of the tumor via transnasal approach and subsequent radiation therapy. Consequently 1 year after XRT patient developed growth hormone deficiency, 3.5 years later patient became euthyroid, and 5.5 years after treatment - hypothyroid. This is the first described case of coexistence of this 2 rare endocrine diseases in the same patient.

[Drug-induced exacerbation of hypoaldosteronism in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2]

Hypoaldosteronism is a clinical condition resulting from inadequate stimulation of aIdosterone secretion (hyporeninemic hypoaIdosteronism), defects in adrenal synthesis of aldosterone (hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism), or resistance to the peripheral action of this hormone (pseudohypoaldosteronism). The disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic hyperkalemia to life-threatening volume depletion, and, if unrecognized and untreated, it increases morbidity and mortality rates. In this paper, we report a case of a woman diagnosed with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2. As a consequence of adrenal cortex destruction, the patient developed subclinical hypoaldosteronism which was effectively treated with small doses of fludrocortisone. Two and fours years later, she required ibuprofen and atenolol treatment and each of these treatments was accompanied by a transient deterioration in mineralocorticoid activity which resolved after drug withdrawal. This case shows for the first time that drugs reducing plasma renin activity may unmask subclinical hypoaldosteronism in subjects with autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, and that they should be avoided in patients with even small disturbances in the hormonal function of the zona glomerulosa.

Slowly progressive insulin-dependent diabetes in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis with portal hypertension-type progression

A 73-year-old woman had previously been diagnosed with CREST syndrome, PBC and diabetes. Hepatic fibrosis was not evident, in spite of the transudative ascites and active esophageal varices. ACA were positive, whereas AMA and anti-gp210 antibodies were negative. She showed low urinary excretion of C-peptide and was weakly positive for anti-GAD antibody. She was diagnosed with a form of PBC that progresses via portal hypertension rather than liver failure and with SPIDDM. Her HLA type did not contain risk allele for IDDM or PBC. SPIDDM should be considered when patients with PBC with portal hypertension-type progression develop diabetes.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type III

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) comprise a wide clinical spectrum of autoimmune disorders. APS is divided into Type I, Type II, Type I and Type IV depending upon the pattern of disease combination. Ghronic diarrhoea is one of the many manifestations of APS and many aetiological factors have been suggested for it. Apart from the established aetiological factors, intestinal lymphangiectasia may be responsible for chronic diarrhea in some cases.Intestinal lymphangiectasia has been reported in Type I APS. We report a case of Type III APS with hypocalcaemia and hypothyroidism who had chronic diarrhea of long duration and was finally diagnosed to have intestinal lymphangiectasia.

Long-term results of continuous subcutaneous recombinant PTH (1-34) infusion in children with refractory hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism in children is most often due to mutations in genes involved in parathyroid development and calcium homeostasis signaling. Some rare cases result from autoimmune attack on the parathyroid glands as a part of the type 1 polyglandular failure syndrome (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy). The majority of cases of pediatric hypoparathyroidism are well controlled under conventional treatment with calcium and vitamin D analogs. However, this treatment may be difficult to manage, especially in two situations: 1) in the context of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy and 2) activating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor. We successfully treated three patients with hypoparathyroidism with continuous subcutaneous administration of rhPTH(1-34) (recombinant human PTH(1-34)), two of which were refractory to conventional therapy.

Increased interleukin-4-positive lymphocytes in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and concurrent non-endocrine autoimmune disorders

A prevalent T helper type 1 (Th1) subset of lymphocytes has been described in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), but whether a similar polarization may characterize HT when associated with non-endocrine autoimmune disorders (NEAD) is not known. The aim of the present study was to analyse the intracellular Th1 and Th2 distinctive cytokines in patients with isolated HT or associated with non-endocrine autoimmune disorders. Intracellular cytokine expression was assessed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 68 out-patients (females = 55; males = 13; median age = 6 years) with HT : 33 had isolated HT and 35 had a concurrent NEAD. The percentage of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 Th1- and IL-4 Th2-positive cells was measured by flow cytometric analysis. We found an increased percentage of IL-2-positive cells in all patients, without differences between patients with isolated HT or associated with NEAD. IFN-γ(+) cells were also increased in both groups, but the median percentage of those with isolated HT was lower than in patients with HT+NEAD (19·0 versus 29·9%; P = 0·0082). An increased number of IL-4-positive cells was observed in three of 33 (9·1%) patients with isolated HT and in 25 of 35 patients with NEAD [71%; P < 0·0001; relative risk (RR) = 3·18]. The median values of IL-4(+) cells (HT = 5·0% versus HT + NEAD = 16·8%) confirmed this large difference (P < 0·0001). A clear-cut increase of IL-4(+) lymphocytes characterizes patients with autoimmune thyroiditis who have associated non-endocrine autoimmune disorders. These findings may represent an initial tool to detect patients with autoimmune thyroiditis in which additional non-endocrine autoimmune disorders may be awaited.

New host defense mechanisms against Candida species clarify the basis of clinical phenotypes

Chronic Candida species infection of the skin and mucosal membranes is viewed as a group of disorders all sharing a similar clinical condition, the susceptibility to localized fungal infections, which can be isolated or as a feature associated with various other entities. Although the pathogenesis underlying such a tendency had previously been poorly understood, the last decade has witnessed significant progress in revealing the molecular and immunologic mechanisms involved in antifungal immunity. T(H)17 cells and their specific cytokines (IL-17A and IL-17F cytokines and IL-22) are the main players in conferring antifungal protection. Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and ectodermal dystrophy and hyper-IgE syndrome are 2 entities caused by different genetic mutations affecting distinct immune pathways but eventually share a similar clinical phenotype of Candida species infection. Impaired T(H)17 responses, although mediated by different mechanisms, seem to underlie this common feature: neutralizing autoantibodies against IL-17A and 1L-22 are involved in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and ectodermal dystrophy syndrome, whereas abnormal T(H)17 proliferation and IL-17 production are observed in the latter. Although various degrees of T(H)17 dysfunction were also observed in most cases of isolated chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, only in very few families was a distinct mutation detected (caspase recruitment domain family, member 9 [CARD9]), thus indicating certain forms of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis as monogenic with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. Hopefully, these data will open the way for further searches for other genes and for introducing new treatment modalities.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus associated with presumed autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome in a mare

A 5-year-old Thoroughbred-cross mare was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Partial glycemic control and clinical improvement were achieved with daily insulin administration for 18 mo. The mare subsequently developed evidence of hypoadrenocorticism and died. Necropsy findings included lymphocytic infiltration of the pancreas, adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla, and thyroid glands, suggestive of an immune-mediated polyendocrinopathy.