Systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection ? challenges in diagnosis and management

Living with systemic lupus erythematosus in South Africa: a bitter pill to swallow

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often has a profound negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In the absence of any qualitative studies in sub-Saharan Africa, we undertook a study to explore living experiences, perceptions and unmet needs of South African patients with SLE.

Methods

Twenty-five women with SLE consented to participate in the study. They underwent individual in-depth interviews exploring their physical concerns, emotional health, sexual well-being and fertility. NVivo software was used for analysis.

Results

Participants were either of black ancestry or mixed racial ancestry, mainly indigent with only a quarter gainfully employed. Living with pain was the most common complaint, negatively impacting on activities of daily living (ADL), family expectations, social life, sleep and intimacy. Most participants expressed challenges of living with fatigue, and many felt their fatigue was misconstrued as being ‘simply lazy’. This pernicious fatigue had negative consequences on many facets of ADL, including caring for dependants, job sustainability and sexual well-being. All participants experienced low emotional states, often associated with suicidal ideations. Many experienced difficulties with fertility and childbearing and these were exacerbated in many instances by the pessimism of health care providers, resulting in confusion and depression. Physical disfigurements resulting from lupus-associated alopecia and rashes and corticosteroid-induced weight fluctuations were a major concern. These changes often affected self-image and libido, leading to strained personal relationships. Coping mechanisms that participants adopted included intense spiritual beliefs, ‘pushing through the difficult times’ and use of alternative therapies to relief symptoms was common. A poor understanding of SLE on the part of participant’s family and the community, coupled with the unpredictable course of the disease, exacerbated frustration and social exclusion. For most, limited income, lack of basic services, family dependencies, and comorbid diseases, such as human immune deficiency virus (HIV), exacerbated the daily negative SLE experiences.

Conclusion

In this study of mainly indigent South African women, SLE is associated with complex, chronic and challenging life experiences. The chronic relapsing and unpredictable nature of the disease, poor understanding and acceptance of SLE, compounded by a background of poverty, inadequate social support structures, negatively impact on a range of personal, social and vocational daily life experiences. Improved access to psychosocial services and SLE education might result in better outcomes.

Trial registration

(Ethics Project identification code: 275/2016 and M160633 registered 10 & 29 August 2016).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Spectrum of Rheumatic Manifestations

Emerging and reemerging viral infections have been a characteristic feature of the past several decades, with HIV infection being the most important example of an emergent viral infection. To date, the status of a considerable proportion of HIV/AIDS patients has changed from a near-fatal disorder secondary to opportunistic infections to a chronic disease in which a variety of co-morbid conditions have become prevalent and relevant. Arthralgia and myalgias are the most common symptoms. The rate of spondyloarthritis varies according to the geographic area, genetic and mode of transmission. Most RA and SLE patients might go into remission after the development of AIDS, but also there are patients that continue with active disease. Prevalence of DILS is highest among African Americans in less advanced stages. PAN is clinically less aggressive and peripheral neuropathy is the most common clinical manifestation. Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), systemic sclerosis and poly-dermatomyositis are uncommon. After the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), a decline of spondyloarthritis disorders and of DILS and development of new syndromes such as IRIS, osteoporosis and avascular bone necrosis have occurred. The treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases and HIV infection remains a challenge.

Human immunodeficiency virus in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) share many clinical manifestations and laboratory findings, therefore, concomitant diagnosis of SLE and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be challenging.

METHODS

Prospective cohort with 602 patients with SLE who attended the Rheumatology Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre since 2000. All patients were followed until 01 May 2015 or until death, if earlier. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were prospectively collected.

RESULTS

Out of the 602 patients, 11 presented with the diagnosis of AIDS (1.59%). The following variables were significantly more prevalent in patients with concomitant HIV and SLE: neuropsychiatric lupus (10.9% vs. 36.4%; p = 0.028) and smoking (37.6% vs. 80%; p = 0.0009) while malar rash was significantly less prevalent in this population (56% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.015). Nephritis (40.5% vs. 63.6%; p = 0.134) and hemolytic anemia (28.6% vs. 54.5%; p = 0.089) were more prevalent in SLE patients with HIV, but with no statistical significance compared with SLE patients without HIV. The SLICC damage index median in the last medical consultation was significantly higher in SLE patients with HIV (1 vs. 2; p = 0,047).

CONCLUSIONS

Our patients with concomitant HIV and SLE have clinically more neuropsychiatric manifestations. For the first time, according to our knowledge, higher cumulative damage was described in lupus patients with concomitant HIV infection. Further studies are needed to elucidate this complex association, its outcomes, prognosis and which therapeutic approach it's best for each case.

Concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus and HIV infection: A rare case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection cases are rare worldwide. Great challenges are posed on the diagnosis and treatment of such concurrent cases.

PATIENT CONCERN

We report the case of a 44-year-old Chinese man with edema, hematuria, and fever who presented at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, in 2013.

DIAGNOSES

An initial diagnosis of SLE was made from the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings based on the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria. Immunosuppressant therapy relieved him of the edema and hematuria, but he regained the symptoms after a cold. Workup, including electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, western blot, and polymerase chain reaction analysis, revealed that he was concurrently infected with HIV after hospitalization.

INTERVENTIONS

The treatment plan included methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, with gastroprotective and hepatoprotective agents, simultaneously aiming to reduce urinary protein. After HIV infection confirmed, cyclophosphamide was stopped. He was referred to the local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). He was suggested to continue monitoring CD4 T-cell count for an appropriate dose of immunosuppressive drugs.

OUTCOMES

In the last follow-up in May 2017, he had been stable in terms of both SLE and HIV infection.

LESSONS

The case highlights the presence of concurrent SLE and HIV infection. Laboratory technicians and clinicians should be cautious on diagnosis, especially in eliminating the false-positive results. Attention should be paid to the dose of immunosuppressants and the ART procedure.

Standard of treatment and outcomes of adults with lupus nephritis in Africa: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the severity of disease has been described to be increased in Africans. Observational studies have been conducted; however, the treatment and outcome of African patients with LN has not been rigorously assessed.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies selected from a PubMed search of outcome in Africans with biopsy-proven LN from 1 January 1990 to 30 June 2015. Studies that gave information on histology, treatment and outcome of patients were included.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were selected from a search that yielded 302 papers; half were from North Africa, 2/16 (12.5%) were prospective studies and 2/16 (12.5%) were multi-centre studies. The sample size of reported biopsies in the studies ranged from 22 to 246 patients. Only 3/16 (18.8%) studies used more recent criteria for the classification and reporting of renal histology, and proliferative LN (class III and IV) were reported with increased frequency from the studies. For induction therapy, all the studies reported use of corticosteroids while 15/16 (93.8%) of the studies also used cyclophosphamide (CYC) as an induction agent. Overall mortality rates ranged from 7.9% to 34.9% with increased disease activity, kidney failure and infections cited as common causes of mortality. Five-year renal survival was 48-84% while five-year patient survival was 54%-94%. Survival rates were higher for studies reported from North Africa.

CONCLUSION

This analysis highlights diagnostic challenges in LN in Africa and shows that a CYC/glucocorticoid-based regimen remains the standard of treatment for adult patients. The contributions of this therapy to reported outcomes of LN in Africa require further exploration.

Challenges for lupus management in emerging countries

In emerging countries, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with several unfavorable outcomes including disease activity, damage accrual, work disability and mortality. Poor socioeconomic status (SES) and lack of access to healthcare, especially in medically underserved communities, may be responsible for many of the observed disparities. Diagnostic delay of SLE or for severe organ damages (renal involvement) have a negative impact on those adverse outcomes in lupus patients who either belong to minority groups or live in emerging countries. Longitudinal and observational prospective studies and registries may help to identify the factors that influence poor SLE outcomes in emerging countries. Infection is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in SLE, particularly in low SES patients and tuberculosis appears to be frequent in SLE patients living in endemic areas (mainly emerging countries). Thus, tuberculosis screening should be systematically performed and prophylaxis discussed for patients from these areas. SLE treatment in the developing world is restricted by the availability and cost of some immunosuppressive drugs. Moreover, poor adherence has been associated to bad outcomes in lupus patients with a higher risk of flares, morbidity, hospitalization, and poor renal prognosis. Low education and the lack of money are identified as the main barrier to improve lupus prognosis. Newer therapeutic agents and new protocols had contributed to improve survival in SLE. The use of corticoid-sparing agents (hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetif) is one of the most useful strategy; availability of inexpensive generics may help to optimize access to these medications.

Aplastic anemia associated to systemic lupus erythematosus in an AIDS patient: a case report

Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by peripheral cytopenias and hypocellular bone marrow. Although aplastic anemia is idiopathic in most cases, rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus are recognized as causes of aplastic anemia, with their possible etiological mechanisms being T and B lymphocyte dysfunction and pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody production directed against bone marrow components. In the course of the human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the identification of autoantibodies and the occurrence of rheumatic events, in addition to the natural course of systemic lupus erythematosus which is modified by immune changes that are characteristic of human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, make the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus challenging. This study reports the case of a woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with a highly active antiretroviral therapy, who had prolonged cytopenias and hypocellular bone marrow consistent with aplastic anemia. The clinical picture, high autoantibodies titers, and sustained remission of the patient's hematological status through immunosuppression supported the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus-associated aplastic anemia. This is the first report of aplastic anemia concurrent with systemic lupus erythematosus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, providing additional evidence that immune dysfunction is a key part of the pathophysiological mechanism of aplastic anemia.

Lupus in Africa: can we dispel the myths and face the challenges?

The epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Africa is largely undetermined, and the perception persists that the incidence of SLE on the continent is very low. Recent studies as well as our own experience, however, suggest that this is not the case. We have conducted a survey amongst medical practitioners in Africa to determine their experiences of diagnosing and treating SLE patients, and the results suggest that significant numbers of African patients are presenting with SLE. The apparent low incidence rate in Africa may be the result of underdiagnosis due to poor access to health care, low disease recognition within primary health care settings, limited access to diagnostic tools and inadequate numbers of specialist physicians. Treatment of SLE in Africa is also restricted by availability and affordability of immunosuppressive drugs. We have established the African Lupus Genetics Network (ALUGEN), an informal network of clinicians and researchers in Africa who have an interest in SLE, in order to facilitate combined clinical and research efforts towards improved outcomes for African SLE patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and HIV infection: a whimsical relationship. Reports of two cases and review of the literature

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rarely reported in association with HIV infection. We describe two unpredictable cases and provide a review of the literature. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of two HIV-infected patients diagnosed with SLE and admitted at Luigi Sacco Hospital (Milano, Italy). Search of the literature from 1981 to 2012 and review of the cases reported. Case 1: a 32-year-old HIV-infected African woman who developed a SLE flare after re-introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The flare was characterized by bullous skin eruption and membranous glomerulonephritis. Case 2: a 44-year-old Caucasian woman, admitted to our hospital because of lacunar stroke: HIV infection and SLE were simultaneously diagnosed.

LITERATURE

55 cases of SLE in the setting of HIV infection were reported. Forty-five patients met the requirements of the American College of Rheumatology for the diagnosis of SLE. The diagnosis of SLE preceded HIV infection in six patients. On the contrary, in 29 patients, HIV infection was reported before SLE. Median CD4+ count at SLE diagnosis was 361 cells/μl. A SLE manifestation following ART immune recovery was documented in 18.2% of the cases. On the contrary, the progression of HIV infection paralleled with SLE remission in 22.5% of the patients. The study shows that an autoimmune disease such as SLE can occur despite the loss of immunocompetence caused by HIV infection. Moreover, SLE and HIV infection influence each other possibly through immunologic mechanisms determining awkward manifestations.

Tissue-specific subnetworks and characteristics of publicly available human protein interaction databases

MOTIVATION

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) databases are widely used tools to study cellular pathways and networks; however, there are several databases available that still do not account for cell type-specific differences. Here, we evaluated the characteristics of six interaction databases, incorporated tissue-specific gene expression information and finally, investigated if the most popular proteins of scientific literature are involved in good quality interactions.

RESULTS

We found that the evaluated databases are comparable in terms of node connectivity (i.e. proteins with few interaction partners also have few interaction partners in other databases), but may differ in the identity of interaction partners. We also observed that the incorporation of tissue-specific expression information significantly altered the interaction landscape and finally, we demonstrated that many of the most intensively studied proteins are engaged in interactions associated with low confidence scores. In summary, interaction databases are valuable research tools but may lead to different predictions on interactions or pathways. The accuracy of predictions can be improved by incorporating datasets on organ- and cell type-specific gene expression, and by obtaining additional interaction evidence for the most 'popular' proteins.

CONTACT

kitano@sbi.jp

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

HIV and systemic lupus erythematosus: the clinical and diagnostic dilemmas of having dual diagnosis

We present the case of a young black African woman living in the UK who presented with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and HIV. The reported coexistence of HIV and SLE is unusual with fewer than 30 published cases. We discuss some of the clinical and diagnostic challenges that face clinicians when a patient presents with both conditions. In particular, we discuss the overlap in symptoms, signs and laboratory findings, and the difficulties that this may pose in terms of making a diagnosis. The implications that having a dual diagnosis may have for treating each condition are also discussed. With increased HIV testing in a variety of clinical settings there is likely to be an increase in detection of similar cases. This case emphasizes the need for careful diagnostic testing and judicious interpretation of the validity of laboratory results in order to reach an accurate diagnosis in such patients.

Autoimmunity and HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on some of the recent advances in the understanding of HIV immunopathogenesis and the diagnosis and treatment of several autoimmune conditions associated with HIV in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chronic immune activation with progressive immune exhaustion are central features of HIV pathogenesis. The role of self-reactive T cells in the generation and maintenance of this process has recently been described. The understanding of the impact of immune dysregulation on the generation of autoimmune phenomena in HIV infection remains incomplete. The diagnosis of autoimmune diseases in the context of HIV is often difficult due to similarities in clinical presentations and laboratory markers. The antiretroviral therapy-associated immune reconstitution syndrome can present as autoimmune disease.

SUMMARY

The cause, frequency and prognosis of autoimmune conditions associated with HIV infection remain somewhat uncertain. Their management is often empirical with the use of novel immunosuppressive medication.

Recurrent Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and HIV-1 Infection Associated with the Presence of Antibodies to Prothrombin: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

The coexistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is being increasingly reported and, because of the immunological disturbances demonstrated in HIV-infected patients, diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties may arise when the 2 conditions coexist. Antiphospholipid antibodies are demonstrable in patients with both conditions, but clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in HIV-infected patients, although reported, are uncommon.

METHODS

We describe a patient with HIV infection and SLE who manifested 4 episodes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complicated by pulmonary embolism. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was used to test for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, including anticardiolipin antibodies, anti- beta 2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies, and antiprothrombin antibodies (anti-PT). Additionally, we performed a computer-assisted search of the literature (via the Medline database) to identify all reported cases of HIV infection plus SLE.

RESULTS

We document the case of 35-year-old African woman with HIV infection and SLE who developed recurrent episodes of DVT and pulmonary embolism in the presence of anti-PT and discuss in depth the pathogenic role of these antibodies and the clinical challenges posed to clinicians by the coexistence of HIV and SLE in the same patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunological reconstitution in HIV-infected patients contributes to the appearance of multiple autoimmune conditions, including SLE and APS. The recognition of the coexistence of these autoimmune disorders in HIV-infected patients has important implications in the treatment of and prognosis for these individuals.