Drug-induced, Ro/SSA-positive cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus. Are residential insecticides exposure the missing link?

Although the etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains to be fully elucidated, it is now apparent that multiple genetic and environmental factors are at play. Because lupus has a strong female preponderance, several studies have examined the role of female hormones in disease etiology. Yet this knowledge has not helped to explain lupus etiology or to prevent it. Estrogens exist not only as natural or drug compounds, but also as environmental chemical contaminant and women are highly exposed to all of them. Estrogenic activity has been found in a number of pesticides including pyrethroids that are largely used in the household. Although there is only a small amount of published data examining a possible causal relationship between lupus and pesticides it can be hypothesized that pesticides, in particular insecticides, through their estrogenic activity and capacity to induce oxidative stress provoke autoimmune reaction influencing lupus development.

The impact of the EUSCLE core set questionnaire for the assessment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Epidemiological data and standard European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) are lacking in the current literature. In order to provide a standardized tool for an extensive consistent data collection, a study group of the European Society of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (EUSCLE) recently developed a Core Set Questionnaire for the assessment of patients with different subtypes of CLE. The EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire includes six sections on patient data, diagnosis, skin involvement, activity and damage of disease, laboratory analysis, and treatment. An instrument like the EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire is essential to gain a broad and comparable data collection of patients with CLE from different European centres and to achieve consensus concerning clinical standards for the disease. The data will also be important for further characterization of the different CLE subtypes and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies; moreover, the EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire might also be useful for the comparison of data in clinical trials. In this review, the impact of the EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire is discussed in detail with regard to clinical and serological features as well as therapeutic modalities in CLE. Lupus (2010) 19, 1144—1152.

Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release test can detect cutaneous adverse effects to statins

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of cutaneous adverse effects are being reported as use of statins becomes more widespread. A study was undertaken to establish the relationship between statin and a cutaneous reaction by the in vitro interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release test.

METHODS

The lymphocytes of 20 patients with suspected drug-induced skin reaction were incubated with and without the drug. The level of INF-gamma from the supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the increase calculated.

RESULTS

Response was positive in 27 (21.43%) of the 126 drugs. Statin was the only drug with a positive response in 80% of those cases. Nine of 20 patients (45.0%) had complete resolution after discontinuation of the drug; 6 (30.0%) who replaced one drug by another statin had partial or no resolution; and 5 (20.0%) had no resolution despite cessation of statins of all kinds.

CONCLUSION

A positive INF-gamma release test was found in patients who developed skin reactions while taking statins; the test's reliability was strengthened by prompt improvement following elimination of the suspected drug in the majority of patients.

Isomorphic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease reaction after ultraviolet exposure: clinical, histological and direct immunofluorescence studies of four allo-transplanted patients

BACKGROUND

Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continues to be a major limitation to successful haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. If experimental studies and clinical observations could partially elucidate the pathophysiology of acute GVHD, the biology of chronic GVHD is still much less well understood.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to describe a peculiar photoinduced rash which triggered acute and then chronic lesions of GVHD in four allogenic haematopoietic-transplanted patients and discuss the possible aetiology and treatment.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Four patients, two children and two adults affected by either mild or severe chronic GVHD, developed an erythematous rash on sun- or narrow-band ultraviolet B-exposed area, which triggered the onset of acute lesions of GVHD. Any of the patients presented neither a history of photosensitivity nor circulating autoantibodies nor urinary/fecal porphyrine.

RESULTS

The histopathologic findings were characterized by an interface dermatitis with sparse perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes and scattered necrotic keratinocytes, especially in the upper part of epidermis. Direct immunofluorescence studies excluded lupus-like pattern, revealing nests of fluorescent bodies at the dermal-epidermal junction and in papillary dermis.

CONCLUSIONS

This peculiar isomorphic reaction of cutaneous GVHD after sun or narrow-band ultraviolet B exposures is described, and the possible mechanism involved is discussed. It may represent an interesting model of progression of chronic GVHD, starting with an acute stage and ending up with chronic clinical and histological findings, especially considering that there is no animal model that fully replicates all of the features of chronic GVHD in humans.

Drug-induced lupus: an update on its dermatologic aspects

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is defined as an entity characterized by clinical manifestations and immunopathological serum findings similar to those of idiopathic lupus but which is temporally related to continuous drug exposure and resolves after discontinuation of the offending drug. Similar to idiopathic lupus, DILE can be divided into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE). Based on the literature review and retrospective analysis of our case series, we focused on the dermatological aspects of DILE. The cutaneous features of drug-induced SLE are protean, including particularly purpura, erythema nodosum and photosensitivity as well as the skin lesions characterizing both urticarial and necrotizing vasculitis. The typical laboratory profile of systemic DILE consists of positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antihistone antibodies, the latter being regarded as the serum marker of this subset. The drugs most frequently implicated in the development of systemic DILE are hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid and minocycline. Drug-induced SCLE usually presents with annular polycyclic or papulosquamous cutaneous manifestations as in the idiopathic form, but blisters or targetoid lesions mimicking erythema multiforme cannot rarely be associated. The clinical presentation is often generalized, with involvement of the lower legs that are usually spared in idiopathic SCLE. ANA and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are usually present, whereas antihistone antibodies are uncommonly found. Drugs associated with SCLE include particularly calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, terbinafine and the recently reported tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists. Drug-induced CCLE is very rarely described in the literature and usually refers to fluorouracile agents or TNF-α antagonists. The picture is characterized by the occurrence of classic discoid lesions, but aspects of lupus tumidus can occasionally develop. ANA are demonstrated in around two-thirds of the cases. Management of DILE is based on the withdrawal of the offending drug. Topical and/or systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents should be reserved for resistant cases.

Microarray analysis of autoimmune diseases by machine learning procedures

Microarray-based global gene expression profiling, with the use of sophisticated statistical algorithms is providing new insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We have applied a novel statistical technique for gene selection based on machine learning approaches to analyze microarray expression data gathered from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), two autoimmune diseases of unknown genetic origin that share many common features. The methodology included a combination of three data discretization policies, a consensus gene selection method, and a multivariate correlation measurement. A set of 150 genes was found to discriminate SLE and PAPS patients from healthy individuals. Statistical validations demonstrate the relevance of this gene set from an univariate and multivariate perspective. Moreover, functional characterization of these genes identified an interferon-regulated gene signature, consistent with previous reports. It also revealed the existence of other regulatory pathways, including those regulated by PTEN, TNF, and BCL-2, which are altered in SLE and PAPS. Remarkably, a significant number of these genes carry E2F binding motifs in their promoters, projecting a role for E2F in the regulation of autoimmunity.

[Drug-induced lupus]

Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is syndrome characterised by the occurrence of lupus-like symptoms and serological findings, following exposure to certain drugs. A substantial number of drugs can induce the positivity of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) but the diagnosis of DIL cannot be done in the absence of clinical features. Most patients with DIL have constitutional symptoms, arthralgia or occasionally arthritis, myalgias, fever and weight loss. These features may take weeks or months to develop and use to be mild with renal and central nervous system happening very rarely. ANA are always positive. They are mainly anti-histone proteins. Antibodies to ds-DNA are a rare finding and would tend to favour a diagnosis of idiopathic SLE. They have been associated with the use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (ant-TNF) and minocycline. Some drugs can induce particular symptoms o serological abnormalities and the diagnosis may be more difficult. It is the case of minocycline-induced lupus, which uses to affect young women with anti-ds-DNA and p-ANCA antibodies positive and negative anti-histone antibodies. Treatment with anti-TNF alpha is frequently associated with the development of ANA and anti-DNA. The incidence of ANA positive varies between 23-57% and anti-DNA between 9-33%. However, only a small number of patients will develop DIL or vasculitis. Resolution or marked improvement of the symptoms generally occurs within 2-5 weeks of the drugs withdrawal although some patients may require non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug or low dose steroid. Immunosuppressive drugs may be needed in severe cases with renal or neurological involvement. Some patients remain ANA positive for long periods of time. No treatment is necessary for ANA positive in the absence of clinical features.

DcR3 as a diagnostic parameter and risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus

In this study, we investigated the diagnostic value of serum death decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The possible pathogenic role of DcR3 in SLE was also assessed. Serum DcR3 levels of 90 SLE patients, 11 patients with rheumatic conditions and 123 healthy controls were determined by ELISA. In all, 43% of the SLE patients, 9% of patients with rheumatic conditions and 2.4% of the normal healthy individuals presented elevated serum DcR3 levels. A higher percentage of DcR3-positive SLE patients, compared with DcR3-negative SLE patients, showed abnormally high serum IgE levels, a surrogate marker of T(h)2-type immune responses. To determine the cause and effect relationship of DcR3 expression and a T(h)2-prone status, we studied young DcR3 transgenic (Tg) mice, whose transgene was driven by an actin promoter. These mice had IL-4 overproduction and augmented serum IgE levels, signs of dominant T(h)2 immune responses. To determine possible SLE pathogenic roles of DcR3, the T-cell-depleted bone marrow of DcR3 Tg mice was transplanted into lethally irradiated syngeneic C57BL/6 female mice. The recipients developed an SLE-like syndrome. They presented anti-dsDNA and anti-nuclear antibodies, along with renal and liver pathology compatible with that of SLE. In total, 90% of Tg bone marrow-transplanted mice, compared with 20% of wild-type bone marrow-transplanted mice, perished within 12 months after the transplantation. Our results showed that serum DcR3 could serve as an additional parameter for SLE diagnosis and that DcR3 secreted from cells of hematopoietic origin was SLE pathogenic in mice.

Drug-induced lupus

Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is a rare adverse reaction to a large variety of drugs with features resembling those of idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It usually develops only after months and, quite commonly, years of treatment with the offending agent, although latencies of days or weeks have been described in some instances. There are some indications that the risk of DIL can increase with higher daily and cumulative doses and with longer duration of therapy. There are no definitive and commonly accepted diagnostic criteria for DIL, but the following guidelines have been proposed: (a) sufficient and continuing exposure to a specific drug, (b) at least one symptom compatible with SLE, (c) no history suggestive of SLE before starting the drug, and (d) resolution of symptoms within weeks (sometimes months) after discontinuation of the putative offending agent. In addition, it is frequently suggested that the presence of ANA is required for the diagnosis of DIL. However, negative ANA test results should not automatically preclude such a diagnosis, particularly if a patient has other autoantibodies associated with SLE/DIL.

Paclitaxel-induced cutaneous lupus erythematosus in patients with serum anti-SSA/Ro antibody

Two women (aged 46 and 56 years) developed annular erythema on their sun-exposed skin, including their forearms and faces, after biweekly i.v. administration of paclitaxel for 3-4 months to treat breast cancer. Both cases showed interface changes of basal keratinocytes and high titers of serum anti-SSA/Ro antibody. The diagnoses of paclitaxel-induced cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) were made because the skin eruptions cleared rapidly within 3 weeks after the paclitaxel treatment was discontinued. Paclitaxel is proposed to be a causative agent that can provoke cutaneous LE.

Newly Recognized Cutaneous Drug Eruptions

Many new drugs are entering the marketplace and although some cutaneous reactions might be noted in the preclinical evaluation, some of the reactions, particularly those that are rare, will not be noted until the drugs enter widespread use. In addition, distinctive reactions may occur, as is the case with epidermal growth factor-receptor inhibitors. Careful observation and evaluation might result in a better understanding of "naturally" occurring skin disease.

Lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases related to statin therapy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Statins have been increasingly associated with drug-induced autoimmune reactions, including lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and determine the clinical and biological characteristics of statin-induced autoimmune reactions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The MEDLINE database (1966 to September 2005) was used to identify all reported cases of statin-induced autoimmune diseases. The keywords used were statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, adverse effects, autoimmune disease, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight cases of statin-induced autoimmune diseases have been published so far. Systemic lupus erythematosus was reported in 10 cases, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in three cases, dermatomyositis and polymyositis in 14 cases and lichen planus pemphigoides in one case. Autoimmune hepatitis was observed in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The mean time of exposure before disease onset was 12.8+/-18 months; range 1 month-6 years. Systemic immunosuppressive therapy was required in the majority of cases. In many patients, antinuclear antibodies were still positive many months after clinical recovery. A lethal outcome has been recorded in two patients despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy.

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposure to statins may be associated with drug-induced lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune disorders. Fatal cases have been reported despite early drug discontinuation and aggressive systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

Issues and advances in the management and pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Evidence-based therapy for cutaneous lupus is lacking. A new clinical assessment tool for cutaneous lupus, the CLASI score, will enable more standardized assessments of response to therapy. Anti-Ro autoantibodies are associated with photosensitive SLE and SCLE, and they play a role in cell survival following ultraviolet exposure. Ro also functions in quality control of small RNAs, important in the prevention of autoimmune disease. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus can be anti-Ro- or anti-dsDNA-associated; SCLE and photosensitivity are characteristic of Ro-positive drug-induced lupus. Biologic therapies and IVIg are being studied for the treatment of SLE and cutaneous lupus. Large, controlled trials are needed, not only to evaluate newer therapies, but also to substantiate and define the usage of traditional therapies for cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Anti-SSA/Ro Antibody as a Risk Factor for Fluorouracil-Induced Drug Eruptions Showing Acral Erythema and Discoid-Lupus-Erythematosus-Like Lesions

BACKGROUND

It is well known that fluorouracil (FU) agents frequently induce discoid-lupus-erythematosus (DLE)-like eruptions and acral erythema in Japan. However, the etiology of these drug eruptions caused by FU agents has not been clarified yet.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the existence of anti-SSA/Ro antibody may be a risk factor for FU-agent-induced DLE-like eruptions and acral erythema.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Six patients with FU-agent-induced drug eruptions showing DLE-like lesions and acral erythema were enrolled in this study. The titers of anti-SSA/Ro antibody in the sera and the histopathology of the skin lesions were examined.

RESULTS

Biopsy specimens from DLE-like eruptions and all 5 examined acral erythema cases showed lichenoid change of the basal keratinocytes. Direct immunofluorescence studies revealed deposition of immunoglobulins along the basement membrane zone in the lesions of both DLE-like eruptions and acral erythema. Further, all 6 cases had high titers of serum anti-SSA/Ro antibody, which did not decline within 6 months after cessation of the causative drug.

CONCLUSION

We propose that anti-SSA/Ro antibody may be a risk factor for FU-agent-induced drug eruptions showing acral erythema and DLE-like eruptions.

Lupus erythematosus: systemic and cutaneous manifestations

Skin and joint involvements are the most commonly occurring manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. There are 3 forms of cutaneous lupus: chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, and acute cutaneous lupus. Joint manifestations are usually not associated with warmth of the joints and may be only associated with pain and swelling. Painful or swollen joints respond rapidly to small or moderate doses of corticosteroids, whereas cutaneous manifestations usually respond to antimalarial drugs. Anti-Ro is associated closely with a photosensitive rash and with subacute lupus.

Coexisting subacute and systemic lupus erythematosus after terbinafine administration: successful treatment with mycophenolate mofetil

A 39-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was treated with terbinafine for onychomycosis. After only 7 days of treatment with 250 mg terbinafine, a widespread severe erythematous eruption developed. The results of clinical, histological and immunofluorescent examinations confirmed the diagnosis of coexisting subacute and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient was treated with drug withdrawal and administration of cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. One year later, mycophenolate mofetil was successfully used. Exacerbation or induction of lupus erythematosus is an extremely rare cutaneous side-effect of terbinafine. Patients with lupus erythematosus should be advised about the risk of some drugs that might exacerbate their disease.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A personal approach to management

SUMMARY Skin disease in patients with lupus erythematosus may be subdivided into two broad categories - those lesions that when biopsied demonstrate interface dermatitis and those that do not demonstrate interface dermatitis. The skin lesions that are represented by the interface dermatitis include discoid lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Patients with these 'specific' manifestations have varying degrees of systemic involvement from rare systemic disease in patients with localized discoid lupus erythematosus to common and often severe involvement in patients with acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Patients who do not demonstrate interface dermatitis also may have systemic disease and in some instances the skin manifestations are linked to some of the more severe systemic manifestations. Many patients with cutaneous lesions characterized by the interface dermatitis can be controlled with 'standard' therapies including sunscreens, protective clothing and behavioural alteration, and topical corticosteroids with or without an oral antimalarial agent. This review presents a brief summary of each common cutaneous manifestation of lupus erythematosus, its relationship to systemic involvement and treatment issues to effectively deal with the lupus erythematosus patient who has skin disease.

Terbinafine-Induced Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Nearly 10% of lupus erythematosus (LE) are drug induced. More than 60 different drugs are involved in iatrogenic LE. We report herein 3 cases of terbinafine-induced LE.

OBSERVATIONS

Three patients receiving terbinafine for a suspected dermatophytic infection developed a subacute cutaneous LE, within 7 weeks following terbinafine introduction. The patients' medical history included sicca syndrome, lung carcinoma and Kikuchi disease, respectively. Clinical remission occurred within 15 weeks following terbinafine withdrawal.

DISCUSSION

Sixteen cases of terbinafine-induced LE have been previously reported, including 13 women. The median age was 54 years. Prior autoimmunity was reported in 10 cases, including 5 pre-existing LE. The median delay between terbinafine introduction and LE onset was 5 weeks. The median time until clinical recovery following terbinafine withdrawal was 8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Terbinafine should be prescribed only in patients with proven dermatophytosis. We recommend cautious monitoring in patients with pre-existing autoimmunity. The diagnosis of terbinafine-induced LE should lead to the immediate and definitive withdrawal of the drug.

A serology-based approach combined with clinical examination of 125 Ro/SSA-positive patients to define incidence and prevalence of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence and prevalence of Ro/SSA-positive subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) in Stockholm County, Sweden (1.8 million inhabitants) and to investigate the frequency of photosensitivity and other clinical manifestations associated with Ro/SSA autoantibodies.

METHODS

Ro/SSA-positive patients in Stockholm were identified via registry-based searches. All patients who tested positive for the presence of Ro/SSA autoantibodies during 1996-2002 (n = 1,323; 85% women) were identified. A questionnaire was sent to all patients still living in Stockholm in 2003 (n = 1,048). Patients who reported having skin symptoms and photosensitivity (n = 125) underwent a clinical examination.

RESULTS

Of the 741 (71%) of 1,048 Ro/SSA-positive patients who responded to the questionnaire, 400 (54%) reported having photosensitivity, and of these patients, 125 agreed to be clinically examined. A diagnosis of LE was confirmed in 59 of the 125 patients (SCLE in 20, systemic LE [SLE] in 33, and chronic CLE in 6). Eighty-six patients reported experiencing symptoms consistent with polymorphous light eruption (PLE). Comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and other skin diseases were common. The incidence of Ro/SSA-positive SCLE during the study period was estimated to be 0.7 cases per 100,000 persons per year and the prevalence was approximately 6.2-14 in 100,000 persons.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of Ro/SSA-positive SCLE in Stockholm County, Sweden is estimated to be 0.7 per 100,000 persons per year as compared with an incidence of SLE in Sweden of 4.8 per 100,000 persons per year. The prevalence is estimated to be 6.2-14 in 100,000 persons. Self-reported photosensitivity commonly corresponds to a history of PLE in Ro/SSA-positive patients, even when the clinical profile of SCLE is absent. Photoprotection should therefore be included in the treatment recommendations for these patients.

Dermatomyosite induite par la pravastatine

INTRODUCTION

The toxic myopathy caused by statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) is well established. Recent reports add to these effects systemic immune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, polymyositis or dermatomyositis.

EXEGESIS

We report a case of dermatomyositis in a 69-year-old patient treated with pravastatin [Elisor]. She presented with typical features of dermatomyositis 2 years after she started a treatment with pravastatin. The treatment was discontinued and she slowly improved, with a transient dermocorticosteroid treatment. Eight other patients with dermatomyositis and chronic treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are reported in the literature. All of them presented with classical features of dermatomyositis. The discontinuation of the treatment was followed by spontaneous clinical and biological improvement in 3/9 patients. The other patients received high doses of corticosteroids and improved, except one patient who died of respiratory failure (pulmonary fibrosis) despite the adjunction of oral cyclophosphamide [Endoxan]. In these patients, dermatomyositis can be considered as a severe adverse reaction to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors although a distinct casual link cannot be definitely established.

CONCLUSION

The increasing prescription of statins has led to the parallel increment of reported side-effects, where autoimmune diseases are now described. Among them, our case of dermatomyositis in a patient receiving pravastatin adds to the eight reported cases in the literature and highlights the potential role of statins as triggers of immune systemic diseases.

Management of ‘refractory’ skin disease in patients with lupus erythematosus

Skin disease in patients with lupus erythematosus can be subdivided into two broad categories-those lesions that, when biopsied, demonstrate an interface dermatitis and those that do not demonstrate an interface dermatitis. The skin lesions that are represented by the interface dermatitis include discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Many patients with these cutaneous lesions can be managed with "standard" therapies, including sunscreens, protective clothing and behavioral alteration, and topical corticosteroids with or without an oral antimalarial agent. These standard therapies are often not used appropriately, resulting in a situation in which the patient is felt to have refractory disease. This chapter discusses these therapies and defines what is meant by refractory disease and how the author approaches these patients.

Autoantibodies profile of rheumatoid arthritis patients during treatment with infliximab

PURPOSE

Therapy with TNFa blocking agents has been associated with increased rate of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and rare cases of lupus like syndromes. Our aim was to prospectively analyze a wide array of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients before and 14 weeks after starting infliximab.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 26 consecutive active RA patients participated. All treated with infliximab at a dosage of 3 mg/kg on week 0, 2, 6 and every 8 weeks, along with weekly low dose methotrexate. Patients were evaluated at week 0 and 14. Clinical assessment included the number of tender and swollen joints, duration of morning stiffness, adverse events (AE) (including SLE-like) and ESR. Sera were collected before the 1st infusion of infliximab at week 0 and 14. The autoantibodies studied were: fluorescent ANA, anti-double-stranded-DNA (anti-ds-DNA), IgG and IgM anti-cardiolipin (ACA), anti-histone- H1 and C (H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4), anti-SSA, -SSB, -ENA, -scleroderma 70, -thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and -neutrophilic cytoplasmatic (ANCA) antibodies.

RESULTS

Of 26 patients, 17 were women. A significant decrease in duration of morning stiffness, number of tender and swollen joints and ESR were observed between week 0 and 14. During follow up (mean of 20.5+/-7.3 months), 9 patients stopped infliximab due to inefficacy or AE (most of them after the 4th infusion). Two patients developed lupus-like phenomena. ANA was found positive at baseline in 7 out of 26 patients. In 5 of them, an increase in the titer of ANA was observed at week 14. ANA negative turned positive for 8 patients. A significant increase of anti-cardiolipin (ACA)-IgM levels was observed in 8 patients and of ACA-IgG in 6, in parallel with ANA seroconversion. The mean level of anti-double-stranded-DNA (anti-ds-DNA) -IgG significantly increased from 66+/-33 to 93+/-68 IU/ml, in 4 patients to pathological levels. Four patients demonstrated an increase in anti-histone H1. Levels of ANCA, anti-ENA, -SSA, -SSB, -RNP, -scleroderma70 and -thyroid peroxidase (TPO) were negative in all patients and remained unchanged during the study. Cessation of treatment with infliximab was found to be associated with the appearance of ANA.

CONCLUSION

An increased titer or a new appearance of ANA was observed in 12 out of 26 patients. The main autoantibodies found were anti-ds-DNA, ACA-IgM and -IgG and anti-histone. In our cohort, the appearance of some autoantibodies seemed to predict late cessation of treatment.

Aggravation d’un lupus érythémateux subaigu sous infliximab

BACKGROUND

Infliximab (Remicade) is an anti-TNF alpha indicated in the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatism, notably rheumatoid arthritis.

CASE-REPORT

We report the case of a 56 year-old woman who developed severe worsening of an SSA-positive subacute lupus erythematosus on initiation of treatment with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis.

DISCUSSION

A review of the literature found 30 cases of drug-induced lupus and listed the autoimmune modifications induced by anti-TNF alpha. This first case of subacute lupus erythematosus, existing before the introduction of treatment and worsening during the latter, emphasizes the risk of developing a severe flare of an autoimmune disease during treatment with anti-TNF alpha. It raises the question of the relative contraindications of anti-TNF alpha in patients with lupus erythematosus.

[Auto-antibodies to anti-ENA SSA/RO (52 and 60 kDa): an auto-immunity laboratory's experience]

PURPOSE

Anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La autoantibodies are frequently encountered in SLE or SGS where anti-SSA subtypes 52 and 60 kDa seems to be differently found in connection with the disease type: anti-SSA/Ro 60 kDa more frequently found in SLE and anti-SSA/Ro 52 kDa in SGS. We try to find if it was interesting in identifying these specificities for all anti-ENA screening.

METHOD

The study included 162 patients' sera found anti-SSA 52 and/or anti-SSA 60 and/or anti-SSB positive among 1600 screening tests from the different hospital's services. We used two assays: first, dotblot (Innolia-Ana Update INGEN) as a screening test and second, an Elisa (ENA-LISA BMD) as confirmation. Thirty-eight control sera were found negative with dotblot.

RESULTS

Only one subtype of anti-SSA (52 or 60 kD) or anti-SSB was found for 55 sera (44 anti-SSA 52, 10 anti-SSA 60, 1 anti-SSB) and 107 sera were found positive for two or more (73 anti-SSA 52 + 60 and 34 anti-SSA 52 or 60 with another anti-ENA). While anti-SSA 60 kDa alone or not was always positive with the Elisa test, neither anti-SSA 52 alone was anti-SSA Elisa's positive. Diseases associations results show a greater linking of anti-SSA 60 kDa with SLE, a frequent linking of combined reactivity anti-SSA 52/60 in SLE and SGS and a greater spreading of anti-SSA 52 kDa alone among pathological groups, showing an autoimmune disease's linking in 68%. Among SGS, 29% had only anti-SSA 52 kDa.

CONCLUSION

We suggest screening specific tests for identifying anti-SSA/Ro 52 kDa reactivity which are missed by routine testing (tests using animal's antigens) and could represent an additional serum marker in Connective Tissue Diseases.

Update on the management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

This paper reviews the latest treatments for cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It focuses on evidence-based guidance for the management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, with identification of the strength of evidence available at this time. In addition, I have briefly reviewed the epidemiological aspects, diagnosis and evaluation of patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This review reflects data available from the Cochrane Library, Medline, literature searches, and the experience of the author managing patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus for over 25 years.

Photo-distributed neutrophilic drug eruption and adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with antidepressant therapy

Drug reactions are well-known complications of antidepressant therapy, often related to photosensitization. Herein is reported a singular case of antidepressant (amoxapine and citalopram) and anxiolytic related (perphenazine) photo-distributed neutrophilic dermatosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The clinicopathologic findings displayed overlapping features with drug-induced Sweet's syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and so-called sterile neutrophilic folliculitis with perifollicular vasculopathy. Of the three medications, only amoxapine has been associated with AGEP. Treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids and cessation of drug therapy was followed by rapid resolution of the cutaneous eruption and respiratory distress. The possibility that neutrophil infiltration of the lung and/or accumulation of neutrophils in the skin and blood served as a source for reactive oxygen species, leading to lung injury and subsequent ARDS, is discussed.

Lupus-Like Syndrome Associated with Statin Therapy

Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs. An increasing number of lupus-like syndrome has recently been reported with these lipid-lowering agents. We describe a new case associated with simvastatin therapy. The presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the serum is for the first time reported confirming that statins may also induce a systemic autoimmune reaction. Statin-induced lupus-like syndrome is characterized by the long delay between the beginning of therapy and the skin eruption. Antinuclear antibodies may persist for many months after drug discontinuation. The causal relationship may be therefore difficult to establish, and probably many cases are unrecognized. Early diagnosis may avoid unnecessary immunosuppressive therapy.

Evaluating inflammatory joint disease: how and when can autoantibodies help?

The diagnosis of inflammatory joint disease rests on a constellation of symptoms, signs, laboratory test results and, occasionally, histological findings. Classification criteria have been developed by national learned societies, international panels of experts or, more rarely, an expert working alone. These criteria are intended to provide a common language for therapeutic trials and international publications. Yet, they are often inappropriately used as diagnostic tools for the individual patient. Identification of an early seroimmunologic marker with high sensitivity and specificity for classifying patients with recent-onset joint disease is a daunting challenge. Test performance characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the positive or negative likelihood ratio help to assess the diagnostic usefulness of a laboratory test in a specific situation. The difference between the pretest and posttest likelihoods of obtaining a positive or negative result measures the usefulness, or performance, of a laboratory test in a specific situation according to the prevalence of the disease. A higher positive likelihood ratio indicates a more useful test. In a patient with inflammatory joint disease, the diagnosis can be sought by assaying a limited number of autoantibodies according to a decision tree. Thus, IgM rheumatoid factors (latex test or ELISA) and antibodies to filaggrin or other citrullinated proteins (antikeratin antibodies by indirect immunofluorescent assay or anticyclic citrullinated peptides by ELISA) identify more than 70% of cases of early rheumatoid arthritis with greater than 98% specificity. If these markers are negative, testing for antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescent assay on HEp-2 cells identifies 99% of cases of lupus and progressive systemic sclerosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis can be obtained by characterizing the autoantibodies: thus, presence of antidouble-stranded DNA (dsDNA, by the Farr radioimmunoassay, indirect immunofluorescent assay on Crithidia luciliae, or ELISA (IgG)) or of antinucleosome antibodies (ELISA) indicates lupus, whereas anticentromere, antitopoisomerase I (Scl 70), and antinucleolar antibodies point to progressive systemic sclerosis. A positive test for antibodies to soluble nuclear antigens of the U1 RNP type suggests mixed connective tissue disease or lupus but may indicate scleroderma. Anti-Sm antibodies are found in fewer than 10% of lupus patients but are highly specific. Anti-SSA (Ro) and anti-SSB (La) suggest lupus or primary Sjögren's syndrome. When tests are negative for ANA, several antibodies to cytoplasmic organelles are valuable diagnostic tools, such as anti-J01 for polymyositis syndromes and antiribosome antibodies for lupus, although their sensitivity is modest (20-25%). Finally antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) ensure the diagnosis of small-vessel vasculitides, which often involve the lungs and kidneys. Thus, in diffuse Wegener's granulomatosis, ANCAs exhibiting the classic cytoplasmic pattern and corresponding by ELISA to anti-PR3 are found. In microscopic polyangiitis the ANCAs are peripheral and correspond by ELISA to antimyeloperoxidase antibodies. Tests for other antibodies are less often needed to evaluate inflammatory joint disease.