Schnitzler syndrome: beyond the case reports: review and follow-up of 94 patients with an emphasis on prognosis and treatment

Time-course analysis of serum hepcidin, iron and cytokines in a C282Y homozygous patient with Schnitzler's syndrome treated with IL-1 receptor antagonist

It is currently unknown if the increase of the hepatic iron regulatory hormone hepcidin during inflammation in man depends on an intact HFE-protein. Here we describe the temporal relationship of serum hepcidin, serum iron and cytokines in a patient with HFE-related (C282Y homozygous) hereditary hemochromatosis who was treated for an auto-inflammatory condition, i.e. variant Schnitzler's syndrome, with the potent anti-inflammatory cytokine inter-leukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra, anakinra). The patient had bouts of fever with peaking serum IL-6 concentrations followed by peaking serum hepcidin levels, while serum iron was low. Upon treatment, these peaks disappeared and hepcidin levels became non-detectable, consistent with HFE deficiency. In conclusion, this in vivo human model: i) supports the importance of an HFE-independent IL-6-hepcidin axis in the development of hypoferremia and anemia of inflammation; and ii) suggests that chronic inflammation protects patients with HFE-related hereditary hemochromatosis from iron accumulation.

Recurrent febrile syndromes: what a rheumatologist needs to know

Rheumatologists are likely to be asked to evaluate patients with recurrent febrile syndromes, so it is important that they are familiar with the clinical and diagnostic features, pathophysiology and therapeutic options for these rare autoinflammatory disorders. These syndromes are all characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and systemic inflammation; however, some syndromes have unique historical and physical features that can help with making a diagnosis. The primary associated morbidity is systemic amyloidosis, usually with renal involvement. Diagnostic testing is mostly limited to genetic testing. NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids have roles in the treatment of some of these disorders, but biologic drugs that target interleukin-1beta are emerging as consistently effective therapies.

Horror autoinflammaticus: the molecular pathophysiology of autoinflammatory disease (*)

The autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by seemingly unprovoked episodes of inflammation, without high-titer autoantibodies or antigen-specific T cells. The concept was proposed ten years ago with the identification of the genes underlying hereditary periodic fever syndromes. This nosology has taken root because of the dramatic advances in our knowledge of the genetic basis of both mendelian and complex autoinflammatory diseases, and with the recognition that these illnesses derive from genetic variants of the innate immune system. Herein we propose an updated classification scheme based on the molecular insights garnered over the past decade, supplanting a clinical classification that has served well but is opaque to the genetic, immunologic, and therapeutic interrelationships now before us. We define six categories of autoinflammatory disease: IL-1beta activation disorders (inflammasomopathies), NF-kappaB activation syndromes, protein misfolding disorders, complement regulatory diseases, disturbances in cytokine signaling, and macrophage activation syndromes. A system based on molecular pathophysiology will bring greater clarity to our discourse while catalyzing new hypotheses both at the bench and at the bedside.

[Periodic fever syndrome/autoinflammatory syndrome]

Hereditary periodic fever syndromes (autoinflammatory syndromes) are characterised by relapsing fevers and additional manifestations such as skin rashes, mucosal manifestations, and joint pain. Some of these disorders only present with organ manifestations and serological signs of inflammation without obvious fever (e.g. PAPA and Blau syndrome). There is a strong serological inflammatory response with an elevation of serum amyloid A (risk of secondary amyloidosis). There are monogenic disorders for which the mode of inheritance and gene mutation are known, but probably also polygenic diseases which present with similar symptoms to the classic autoinflammatory syndromes. Gene mutations have been described for the monogenic disorders (FMF, HIDS, CAPS, PAPA and Blau syndrome), which lead to an induction of the production of IL-1ss. Therapeutically, the IL-1-receptor antagonist anakinra is mainly used. In the case of TRAPS and Blau syndrome, TNF antagonists may also be used. PFAPA syndrome, the Schnitzler syndrome, Still's disease of adult and pediatric onset, Behçet's disaese and Crohn's disease also are mentioned as additional possible autoinflammatory syndromes.

Schnitzler's syndrome: increased levels of bone formation and angiogenesis factors are reduced after successful pefloxacin treatment

Schnitzler's syndrome is characterized by chronic urticaria and monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) M gammopathy, with other features including intermittent fever, joint and/or bone pain with radiologic evidence of osteosclerosis, lymphadenopathy, enlarged liver and/or spleen, leukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The etiology of the syndrome remains obscure, although involvement of various cytokines has been proposed. Bone metabolism and angiogenesis markers are deregulated in Waldenström macroglobulinemia and IgM monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, but these markers have not been assessed in Schnitzler's syndrome. Herein, we report a patient with Schnitzler's syndrome who was treated with oral pefloxacin. Serum levels of osteoclast regulators, markers of bone remodeling and angiogenesis cytokines, were measured before treatment and serially after the initiation of treatment. High bone turnover and strikingly elevated levels of angiogenic cytokines were observed at diagnosis. Treatment with pefloxacin resulted in a normalization of the bone remodeling process and a significant reduction of angiogenic cytokines, with rapid and sustained improvement of symptoms, suggesting that these factors might be implicated in the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Furthermore, pefloxacin was proven to be an effective treatment for patients with Schnitzler's syndrome.

Developments in the scientific and clinical understanding of autoinflammatory disorders

The autoinflammatory diseases, also known as periodic fever syndromes, are disorders of innate immunity which can be inherited or acquired and which cause recurrent, self-limiting, seemingly spontaneous episodes of systemic inflammation and fever in the absence of autoantibody production or infection. There has been much recent progress in elucidating their aetiologies and treatment. With the exception of familial Mediterranean fever, which is common in certain populations, autoinflammatory diseases are mostly rare but should not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of recurrent fevers since DNA diagnosis and effective therapies are available for many of them.

Neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis: a variant of neutrophilic urticaria strongly associated with systemic disease. Report of 9 new cases and review of the literature

We conducted the current study to define within the spectrum of the neutrophilic dermatoses a group of patients with an urticarial rash clinically and a neutrophilic dermatosis histopathologically. We reviewed the literature on neutrophilic urticaria and we report here a series of patients with this unique presentation. We reviewed all cutaneous biopsies submitted to our department between 2000 and 2006 in which histopathologic evaluation was compatible with this entity. We then retrieved the patient medical records and obtained information about follow-up and associated diseases. This allowed us to identify 9 patients with an urticarial eruption that was characterized histopathologically by a perivascular and interstitial neutrophilic infiltrate with intense leukocytoclasia but without vasculitis and without dermal edema. Four patients also had small foci of necrobiotic collagen bundles. The eruption consisted of pale, flat or only slightly raised, nonpruritic macules, papules, or plaques. Elementary lesions resolved within 24 hours. Purpura, angioedema, and facial swelling were not seen, but dermographism was present in 1 patient. Six patients had fever, 7 had polyarthritis, and 6 had leukocytosis. Seven patients had associated systemic diseases: adult-onset Still disease (3 patients), systemic lupus erythematosus (3 patients), and Schnitzler syndrome (1 patient).A similar rash has been reported previously in the literature, mostly in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases, but the majority of patients reported under the undefined designation of "neutrophilic urticaria" did have a different clinicopathologic presentation. Thus, we suggest naming this eruption "neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis," to emphasize that this entity expands the broad group of cutaneous manifestations of neutrophilic aseptic disease. This entity bears important medical significance as it is strongly indicative of an associated systemic disease, mainly Schnitzler syndrome, adult-onset Still disease, lupus erythematosus, and the hereditary autoinflammatory fever syndromes.

Dysregulation of innate immunity: hereditary periodic fever syndromes

The hereditary periodic fever syndromes encompass a rare group of diseases that have lifelong recurrent episodes of inflammatory symptoms and an acute phase response in common. Clinical presentation can mimic that of lymphoproliferative disorders and patients often go undiagnosed for many years. These syndromes follow an autosomal inheritance pattern, and the major syndromes are linked to specific genes, most of which are involved in regulation of the innate immune response through pathways of apoptosis, nuclear factor kappaBeta activation and cytokine production. In others, the link between the protein involved and inflammation is less clear. The recurrent inflammation can lead to complications, such as renal impairment due to amyloidosis and vasculitis, visual impairment, hearing loss, and joint destruction, depending on the specific syndrome. In recent years, treatment options for these diseases have improved significantly. Early establishment of an accurate diagnosis and start of appropriate therapy improves prognosis in these patients.

A rare cause of a common symptom, Anakinra is effective in the urticaria of Schnitzler Syndrome: a case report

Introduction

Schnitzler Syndrome is an uncommon, inflammatory condition that presents with a constellation of chronic unremitting urticaria, fever, bone pain, arthralgia or arthritis, and a monoclonal IgM gammopathy. There is usually neutrophilia and raised inflammatory markers. Delayed diagnosis is common and treatment often unsuccessful.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 43-year-old caucasian man who presented with urticaria unresponsive to conventional therapy. There was considerable delay in recognition of this as Schnitzler Syndrome, and symptoms were unresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive therapy.

Commencement of anakinra was associated with a rapid and sustained clinical response.

Conclusion

Schnitzler Syndrome is a rare disorder that mimics chronic idiopathic urticaria. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with urticaria unresponsive to antihistamines and conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Anakinra is an effective treatment although further studies are required, to determine long term therapeutic requirements and assess any potential adverse effects.

[Cutaneous vasculitides. A diagnostic approach]

Vasculitis is characterized by an inflammatory reaction of vessel walls with damage to the dependent tissues. Forms of vasculitis which frequently have skin changes include leukocytoclastic angiitis (LcV), Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), cutaneous polyarteriitis nodosum (cPAN), erythema elevatum et diutinum (EED) and urticarial vasculitis (UV). In other forms of vasculitis, systemic manifestations predominate but there are a variety of skin changes. Kawasaki disease (MK), cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (kV), Wegener granulomatosis (WG), Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) and microscopic polyangitis (MPA) belong to this group. The causes of vasculitis are heterogeneous. Triggers include infections, drugs, collagen vascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and lymphoproliferative disorders. Idiopathic vasculitis, particularly LcV and EED, occur only once and have a self-limited course. The diagnostic work up depends on the clinical picture and includes inflammatory markers, circulating immune complexes, different types of cryoglobulins and anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies, collagen vascular disease specific autoantibodies and additional hematological studies. Vasculitis can manifest in many organs and requires a thorough work up specifically in cases where WG, MPA, CSS and PAN are under consideration.

The future of the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra: from rheumatoid arthritis to adult-onset Still's disease and systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND

IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is a naturally occurring IL-1RI-binding molecule that blocks the biologic effects of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1. A recombinant form of human IL-1Ra, anakinra (Kineret), has been approved for use in rheumatology initially to manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients that are refractory to more conventional forms of treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This review summarizes the experience with anakinra in the treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases emphasizing its beneficial effects in novel applications.

METHODS

English-language trials of anakinra were searched using MEDLINE and abstracts from rheumatology scientific meetings.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of patients with RA anakinra is effective but inferior to TNF-alpha blocking agents. Over the last few years it has become increasingly evident that anakinra is highly effective and safe in patients with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, hereditary autoinflammatory syndromes, Schnitzler's syndrome and recently in gouty attacks.

Radiological aid to clinical diagnosis of Schnitzler's syndrome: multimodality imaging approach

Schnitzler's syndrome is a rare combination of chronic urticaria, fever of unknown origin, disabling bone pain, and monoclonal gammopathy. We report a case with an unusual radiological manifestation as a solitary sclerotic lesion of the right iliac bone. Its main features on conventional radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are described, and the main radiological differential diagnoses are discussed to help with the characterization of this syndrome, which requires a combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiological data. On the other hand, although our patient had an excellent clinical response to anakinra, the sclerotic lesion remained unchanged on follow-up X-ray examinations.