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Dammacco R, Cimino L, De Simone L, Alessio G, Dammacco F. Ocular manifestations of cryoglobulinemia: a reappraisal. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:585-593. [PMID: 37813978 PMCID: PMC10858169 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02738-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES To describe frequency and type of ocular manifestations in patients with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV), as well as management approaches and outcomes. SUBJECTS/METHODS This was a retrospective, observational, cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with CV at a single center and regularly underwent a comprehensive ocular assessment. RESULTS Ophthalmologic manifestations were recorded in 16 patients (28%). The diagnoses included dry eye disease and primary Sjögren syndrome in 5 and 2 patients, respectively; peripheral ulcerative keratitis and anterior scleritis in 1 patient each; hyperviscosity syndrome and hypertensive retinopathy in 2 patients each; and Purtscher- like retinopathy in 3 patients. Twelve patients (75%) were anti-HCV/HCV RNA-positive, 11 of whom achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) following treatment with interferon-α2b plus ribavirin or direct-acting antivirals. All patients were treated with ocular lubricants. Systemic therapeutic measures, including glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive and biologic agents, induced the disappearance or ≥50% reduction of cryoglobulins and major signs of vasculitis in 11 patients (68.7%). In the remaining 5 patients (31.3%), cryoglobulins and CV manifestations remained unchanged or decreased by <50%. The corresponding ophthalmologic assessment showed a variable degree of improvement in the ocular symptoms in all but 2 patients (87.5%). The best corrected visual acuity following treatment improved in 26 eyes, was unchanged in 3 eyes, and worsened in 3 eyes. CONCLUSIONS Eye involvement is not a rare event in CV patients. A timely diagnosis and the correct employment of the available therapeutic measures may result in a favorable outcome of the ocular and extra-ocular manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Dammacco
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Luca Cimino
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Ocular Immunology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luca De Simone
- Ocular Immunology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Alessio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Franco Dammacco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Chen C, Wei L, He W, Zhang Y, Xiao J, Lu Y, Wang F, Zhu X. Associations of severe liver diseases with cataract using data from UK Biobank: a prospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 68:102424. [PMID: 38304745 PMCID: PMC10831806 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Liver disease is linked to series of extrahepatic multisystem manifestations. However, little is known about the associations between liver and eye diseases, especially cataract, the global leading cause of blindness. We aimed to investigate whether severe liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis, and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, were associated with an increased risk of the cataract. Methods A total of 326,558 participants without cataract at baseline enrolled in the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010 were included in this prospective study. The exposures of interest were severe liver diseases (defined as hospital admission), including NAFLD, ALD, viral hepatitis and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The outcome was incident cataract. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Each liver disease was first treated as a binary time-varying variable to investigate its association with cataract, and then was treated as a ternary time-varying variable to examine the recent (liver disease within 0-5 years) vs. long-term (liver disease > 5 years) state associations with the risk of cataract. Findings After a median follow-up of 13.3 years (interquartile range, 12.5-14.0 years), 37,064 individuals were documented as developing cataract. Higher risk of cataract was found in those with severe NAFLD (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.33-1.61), ALD (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.28-1.94) and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.35-1.85), but not in individuals with viral hepatitis when exposure was treated as a binary time-varying variable (P = 0.13). When treating exposure as a ternary time-varying variable, an association between recently diagnosed viral hepatitis and cataract was also observed (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.07-2.23). Results from the combined model suggested they were independent risk factors for incident cataract. No substantial changes were found in further sensitivity analyses. Interpretation Severe liver diseases, including NAFLD, ALD, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and recently diagnosed viral hepatitis, were associated with cataract. The revelation of liver-eye connection suggests the importance of ophthalmic care in the management of liver disease, and the intervention precedence of patients with liver disease in the early screening and diagnosis of cataract. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty Program, the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation and Shenzhen Science and Technology Program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenwen He
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jia Xiao
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province 410015, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory for Clinical Research of Liver Diseases, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266001, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiangjia Zhu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031, China
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3
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Assem NM, Mohammed AI, Barry HMA, El Sayed IET, Elmadbouh I. Serum cystatin C is an early renal dysfunction biomarker in patients with hepatitis C virus. EGYPTIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2022; 12:67. [DOI: 10.1186/s43066-022-00231-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may induce extrahepatic manifestations as acute or chronic renal dysfunction. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic role of some biomarkers as cystatin C, cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor (RF), and complement C3 for extrahepatic renal affection in newly diagnosed patients with HCV infection.
Methods
Blood and urine were collected from randomized individuals screened for new HCV infection (n=400). The studied populations were divided into 3 groups: control group I: thirty healthy individuals not suffering from either liver or kidney diseases, group IIa: thirty HCV patients who have positive HCV antibody test but showed negative PCR test, and group IIb: thirty HCV patients who showed positive results for both HCV antibody and PCR tests.
Results
In HCV group IIb, levels of serum total bilirubin, AST and ALT, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were increased whereas serum albumin and creatinine clearance were decreased versus other groups. However, the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were still within the normal range in all groups. In HCV group IIb, cystatin C, cryoglobulins, and RF levels were increased; meanwhile, serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio and complement 3 levels were decreased compared to the other groups. HCV-infected patients significantly had higher serum cystatin C (>1.24 mg/L, P<0.001) and lower creatinine/cystatin C ratio (<70.1μMol/mg, P=0.002), and cystatin C was significantly correlated with liver and kidney parameters.
Conclusion
High serum cystatin C and low creatinine/cystatin C ratio may be early indicators of mild renal dysfunction with normal serum levels of creatinine in HCV-infected individuals.
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4
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Kolb P, Giese S, Voll RE, Hengel H, Falcone V. Immune complexes as culprits of immunopathology in severe COVID-19. Med Microbiol Immunol 2022; 212:185-191. [PMID: 35871171 PMCID: PMC9308473 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-022-00743-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the pandemic human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 elicits a respiratory tract disease, termed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While a variable degree of disease-associated symptoms may emerge, severe COVID-19 is commonly associated with respiratory complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the necessity for mechanical ventilation or even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Amongst others, disease outcome depends on age and pre-existing conditions like cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders but also age and biological sex. Intriguingly, increasing experimental and clinical evidence suggests that an exacerbated inflammatory response and in particular IgG immune complexes (ICs), significantly contribute to severe and prolonged COVID-19 disease progression. Vast amounts of deposited, unresolved ICs in tissue are capable to initiate an exaggerated Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) mediated signalling cascade which eventually results in common IC-associated organ diseases such as vasculitis, glomerulonephritis and arthritis, comorbidities that have been frequently reported for COVID-19. Moreover and independent of deposited ICs, very recent work identified soluble ICs (sIC) to be also present in the circulation of a majority of severely ill patients, where their systemic abundance correlated with disease severity. Thus, detection of circulating sICs in patients represents a potential marker for critical COVID-19 disease progression. Their detection early after clinical deterioration might become an indicator for the requirement of prompt anti-inflammatory treatment. Here, we review the role of ICs in COVID-19 progression, their possible origins and potential intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kolb
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Giese
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Edmund Voll
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hartmut Hengel
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Valeria Falcone
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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5
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Meuleman MS, Duval A, Fremeaux-Bacchi V, Roumenina LT, Chauvet S. Ex Vivo Test for Measuring Complement Attack on Endothelial Cells: From Research to Bedside. Front Immunol 2022; 13:860689. [PMID: 35493497 PMCID: PMC9041553 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.860689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As part of the innate immune system, the complement system plays a key role in defense against pathogens and in host cell homeostasis. This enzymatic cascade is rapidly triggered in the presence of activating surfaces. Physiologically, it is tightly regulated on host cells to avoid uncontrolled activation and self-damage. In cases of abnormal complement dysregulation/overactivation, the endothelium is one of the primary targets. Complement has gained momentum as a research interest in the last decade because its dysregulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many human diseases. Thus, it appears to be a promising candidate for therapeutic intervention. However, detecting abnormal complement activation is challenging. In many pathological conditions, complement activation occurs locally in tissues. Standard routine exploration of the plasma concentration of the complement components shows values in the normal range. The available tests to demonstrate such dysregulation with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications are limited. There is a real need to develop tools to demonstrate the implications of complement in diseases and to explore the complex interplay between complement activation and regulation on human cells. The analysis of complement deposits on cultured endothelial cells incubated with pathologic human serum holds promise as a reference assay. This ex vivo assay most closely resembles the physiological context. It has been used to explore complement activation from sera of patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, malignant hypertension, elevated liver enzymes low platelet syndrome, sickle cell disease, pre-eclampsia, and others. In some cases, it is used to adjust the therapeutic regimen with a complement-blocking drug. Nevertheless, an international standard is lacking, and the mechanism by which complement is activated in this assay is not fully understood. Moreover, primary cell culture remains difficult to perform, which probably explains why no standardized or commercialized assay has been proposed. Here, we review the diseases for which endothelial assays have been applied. We also compare this test with others currently available to explore complement overactivation. Finally, we discuss the unanswered questions and challenges to overcome for validating the assays as a tool in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Sophie Meuleman
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Anna Duval
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Lubka T Roumenina
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Chauvet
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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6
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The wide spectrum of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis and an overview of therapeutic advancements. Clin Exp Med 2022; 23:255-272. [PMID: 35348938 PMCID: PMC8960698 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00808-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Immunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate at temperatures below 37 °C are called cryoglobulins (CGs). Cryoglobulinemia often manifests as cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV), whose symptoms range in severity from purpuric eruptions to life-threatening features. The majority of CV patients are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), whereas lymphoproliferative disorders or connective tissue diseases (CTD) are commonly diagnosed among patients with CV of non-infectious origin. In the absence of detectable associated disease, cryoglobulinemia is classified as “essential” (EMC). All HCV-positive CV patients should be given direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) that are consistently able to induce a sustained virologic response (SVR). Glucocorticoids (GCs) can mitigate CV-associated vasculitis, but they have no role as maintenance therapy. Cyclophosphamide restrains the hyperactive phase(s) of the disease and the post-apheresis rebound of newly synthesized CGs. Its use has been largely replaced by rituximab (RTX) in patients unresponsive to DAAs, patients progressing to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and patients in whom CV persists or reappears after clearance of HCV. Therapeutic apheresis is an emergency treatment for CV patients with hyperviscosity syndrome. HCV-positive CV patients are at an increased risk of developing NHL, but the achievement of SVR can effectively prevent HCV-related NHL or induce the remission of an already established lymphoma, even without chemotherapy. The treatment of patients with IgM or IgG monoclonal cryoglobulins and an underlying immunoproliferative disorder is based on the regimens adopted for patients with the same B-cell malignancies but without circulating CGs. For patients with CTD, GCs plus alkylating agents or RTX are similarly effective as first-line therapy and in the relapse/refractory setting. In patients with EMC, treatment should consist of GCs plus RTX, with the dose of GCs tapered as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infectious complications.
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7
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Hickman AD, Saliba AN, Nowakowski GS. 67-Year-Old Woman With Diarrhea and Weight Loss. Mayo Clin Proc 2022; 97:364-369. [PMID: 35120699 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley D Hickman
- Resident in Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, MN
| | - Antoine N Saliba
- Resident in Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, MN
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8
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Wong E, Ricardo AC, Rosas SE, Lash JP, Franceschini N. Hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease among Hispanics/Latinos. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e28089. [PMID: 34889260 PMCID: PMC8663903 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Viral infections, including hepatitis C, can cause secondary glomerular nephropathies. Studies suggest that hepatitis C virus infection (HCV+) is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) but evidence of this relationship is lacking among Hispanics/Latinos. We examined the association between HCV+ and incident CKD in a prospective cohort of Hispanics/Latinos enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. HCV+ was defined by detectable HCV antibodies with additional confirmation through HCV RNA or recombinant immunoblot assay testing. Incident CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or sex-specific threshold for albuminuria measured during follow-up. We used Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) of CKD and changes in eGFR- or albuminuria-based risk stages, separately. We used linear regression to estimate associations with continuous, annualized changes in eGFR and albuminuria.Over a follow-up period of 5.9 years, 712 incident CKD events occurred among 10,430 participants. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, HCV+ was not associated with incident CKD, defined by eGFR and albuminuria thresholds (IRR 1.29, 95% Confidence Interval 0.61, 2.73). HCV+ was significantly associated with higher eGFR risk stages (IRR 2.39, 95% CI 1.47, 3.61) with most participants transitioning from stage G1 to G2. HCV+ was associated with a continuous, annualized eGFR decline of -0.69 mL/min/m2/year (95% CI -1.23, -0.16). This large, cohort study did not find evidence of a strong association between HCV+ and new-onset CKD among Hispanics/Latinos. HCV infection may not be associated with risk of CKD among Hispanics/Latinos, although treatment with direct-acting antivirals is recommended for all HCV+ individuals, including those with established CKD or end-stage kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Wong
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Ana C. Ricardo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Sylvia E. Rosas
- Joslin Diabetes Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - James P. Lash
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Nora Franceschini
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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9
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Moretti R, Giuffrè M, Merli N, Caruso P, Di Bella S, Tiribelli C, Crocè LS. Hepatitis C Virus-Related Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1569. [PMID: 34942871 PMCID: PMC8699483 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), despite being a hepatotropic virus, is the causative agent of many systemic disorders, such as vasculitis, autoimmune diseases, lymphoproliferative disorders, and a broad spectrum of neurological and psychiatric manifestations. Although symptoms have been misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, only recently, evidence of direct (inflammatory) or indirect (immune-mediated) HCV-dependent cerebral effects has been established. HCV infection can promote acute inflammatory response, pro-coagulative status and ischemic disorders, and neurodegeneration. These effects rely on cerebral HCV replication, possibly mediated by blood-brain barrier alterations. Further study is needed to better understand the HCV-related mechanisms of brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Moretti
- Department Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (S.D.B.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Department Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (S.D.B.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Nicola Merli
- Department Neurological Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Paola Caruso
- Department Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (S.D.B.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Stefano Di Bella
- Department Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (S.D.B.); (L.S.C.)
| | | | - Lory Saveria Crocè
- Department Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (R.M.); (P.C.); (S.D.B.); (L.S.C.)
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10
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Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Exosomal MicroRNAs and Toll-Like Receptor 7 Polymorphism Regulate B-Cell Activating Factor. mBio 2021; 12:e0276421. [PMID: 34724826 PMCID: PMC8561394 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02764-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There are large gaps in understanding the molecular machinery accounting for the association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with autoimmunity. Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is the most common HCV-associated extrahepatic manifestation, which is characterized by B-cell lymphoproliferation and autoantibody production. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family and plays an important role in B-cell proliferation. We explored the roles of hepatocyte-derived exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) and BAFF in the extrahepatic diseases of HCV infection. The exo-miRNA profiles were explored using a next-generation sequencing approach, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR validation. The Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) polymorphism were analyzed using quantitative PCR. The biological function of exo-miRNAs and TLR7 polymorphism in BAFF expression was evaluated by using immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significantly increased levels of BAFF, exosomes, and TLR7 were found in HCV patients, particularly in those with MC (P < 0.005). HCV-infected hepatocyte-derived miR-122/let-7b/miR-206 upregulated BAFF expression in human macrophages through exosome transmission and TLR7 activation. Analysis of a TLR7 single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs3853839) revealed that G-allele carriers had increased TLR7 transcripts, resulting in more BAFF expression induced by hepatocyte-derived exo-miR-122, compared to those in C-allele carriers (P < 0.005). We identified HCV-infected hepatocyte-derived GU-enriched miRNAs (e.g., miR-122/let-7b/miR-206) as a TLR7 ligand that could induce BAFF production in macrophages through exosome transmission. The polymorphism in TLR7 is associated with the BAFF levels induced by exo-miR-122. It may be a potential predisposing factor of MC syndrome development.
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Abstract
Antibody responses in hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been a rather mysterious research topic for many investigators working in the field. Chronic HCV infection is often associated with dysregulation of immune functions particularly in B cells, leading to abnormal lymphoproliferation or the production of autoantibodies that exacerbate inflammation and extrahepatic diseases. When considering the antiviral function of antibody, it was difficult to endorse its role in HCV protection, whereas T-cell response has been shown unequivocally critical for natural recovery. Recent breakthroughs in the study of HCV and antigen-specific antibody responses provide important insights into viral vulnerability to antibodies and the immunogenetic and structural properties of the neutralizing antibodies. The new knowledge reinvigorates HCV vaccine research by illuminating a new path for the rational design of vaccine antigens to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies for protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92109, USA
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12
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Yan C, Chen J, Ding Y, Zhou Z, Li B, Deng C, Yuan D, Zhang Q, Wang X. The Crucial Role of PPARγ-Egr-1-Pro-Inflammatory Mediators Axis in IgG Immune Complex-Induced Acute Lung Injury. Front Immunol 2021; 12:634889. [PMID: 33717177 PMCID: PMC7947684 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ligand-activated transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ plays crucial roles in diverse biological processes including cellular metabolism, differentiation, development, and immune response. However, during IgG immune complex (IgG-IC)-induced acute lung inflammation, its expression and function in the pulmonary tissue remains unknown. Objectives The study is designed to determine the effect of PPARγ on IgG-IC-triggered acute lung inflammation, and the underlying mechanisms, which might provide theoretical basis for therapy of acute lung inflammation. Setting Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University Subjects Mice with down-regulated/up-regulated PPARγ activity or down-regulation of Early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) expression, and the corresponding controls. Interventions Acute lung inflammation is induced in the mice by airway deposition of IgG-IC. Activation of PPARγ is achieved by using its agonist Rosiglitazone or adenoviral vectors that could mediate overexpression of PPARγ. PPARγ activity is suppressed by application of its antagonist GW9662 or shRNA. Egr-1 expression is down-regulated by using the gene specific shRNA. Measures and Main Results We find that during IgG-IC-induced acute lung inflammation, PPARγ expression at both RNA and protein levels is repressed, which is consistent with the results obtained from macrophages treated with IgG-IC. Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro data show that PPARγ activation reduces IgG-IC-mediated pro-inflammatory mediators’ production, thereby alleviating lung injury. In terms of mechanism, we observe that the generation of Egr-1 elicited by IgG-IC is inhibited by PPARγ. As an important transcription factor, Egr-1 transcription is substantially increased by IgG-IC in both in vivo and in vitro studies, leading to augmented protein expression, thus amplifying IgG-IC-triggered expressions of inflammatory factors via association with their promoters. Conclusion During IgG-IC-stimulated acute lung inflammation, PPARγ activation can relieve the inflammatory response by suppressing the expression of its downstream target Egr-1 that directly binds to the promoter regions of several inflammation-associated genes. Therefore, regulation of PPARγ-Egr-1-pro-inflammatory mediators axis by PPARγ agonist Rosiglitazone may represent a novel strategy for blockade of acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunguang Yan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (ITCWM) Repair, Institute of Integrative Medicine for Acute Abdominal Diseases, Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zetian Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingyu Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunmin Deng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong Yuan
- Emergency Department, Jintan Hospital, Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (ITCWM) Repair, Institute of Integrative Medicine for Acute Abdominal Diseases, Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ximo Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (ITCWM) Repair, Institute of Integrative Medicine for Acute Abdominal Diseases, Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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13
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Takahashi H, Nakahara T, Kogiso T, Imajo K, Kessoku T, Kawaguchi T, Ide T, Kawanaka M, Hyogo H, Fujii H, Ono M, Kamada Y, Sumida Y, Anzai K, Shimizu M, Torimura T, Nakajima A, Tokushige K, Chayama K, Eguchi Y. Eradication of hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antivirals improves glycemic control in diabetes: A multicenter study. JGH OPEN 2020; 5:228-234. [PMID: 33553660 PMCID: PMC7857302 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes insulin resistance and diabetes as extrahepatic manifestations. We aimed to analyze the effect of HCV eradication by direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) agents on glucose tolerance. Methods The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 272 patients with HCV infection who achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) was analyzed at baseline before DAA treatment, at the end of DAA therapy (ETR), and 12 weeks after therapy (Post12W). Results There were no significant differences in HbA1c between baseline, ETR, and Post12W in the overall patients. When the data were stratified according to the presence or absence of diabetes, median HbA1c significantly decreased from baseline (7.2%) to ETR (6.8%) and Post12W (6.8%) in the 55 patients with diabetes, whereas there were no significant changes in the patients without diabetes. Basal HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and age were independently associated with the changes in HbA1c according to multivariate analysis, and the predictive formula for changes in HbA1c was found to be ΔHbA1c (%) = 1.449–0.4* HbA1c (%) + 0.012 × Age (year). There were no changes in body mass in diabetic or nondiabetic patients. In diabetic patients taking medication, 63.4% of patients needed less medication. Conclusions Eradication of HCV improves glycemic control, indicated by a 0.4% decrease in HbA1c in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Takahashi
- Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine Saga University Saga Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | - Takashi Nakahara
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomomi Kogiso
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine Yokohama Japan
| | - Kento Imajo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine Kurume University School of Medicine Kurume Japan
| | - Takaomi Kessoku
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine Kurume University School of Medicine Kurume Japan
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2 General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School Okayama Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ide
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2 General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School Okayama Japan
| | - Miwa Kawanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology JA Hiroshima General Hospital Hiroshima Japan
| | - Hideyuki Hyogo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Osaka City Juso Hospital Osaka Japan
| | - Hideki Fujii
- Department of Premier Preventive Medicine Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine Osaka Japan.,Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East Internal Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Masafumi Ono
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Suita Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kamada
- Division of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine Aichi Medical University Nagakute Japan
| | - Yoshio Sumida
- Department of Gastroenterology Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Yanagido Japan
| | - Keizo Anzai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
| | | | - Takuji Torimura
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2 General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School Okayama Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine Kurume University School of Medicine Kurume Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Tokushige
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine Yokohama Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo Japan
| | - Yuichiro Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University Hiroshima Japan
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14
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Abdelwahab FA, Hassanein KM, Hetta HF, Abdelmalek MO, Zahran AM, El-Badawy O. Impact of deranged B cell subsets distribution in the development of HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC in type two diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20383. [PMID: 33230233 PMCID: PMC7683559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77416-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II diabetes (T2D) may worsen the course of hepatitis C virus infection with a greater risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In chronic viral infections, the deranged B cell subset signifies uncontrolled disease. The study aimed to verify the relation between B cell subsets' distribution and liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with T2D. A total of 67 CHC patients were divided into two groups; 33 non-diabetic and 34 with T2D. Each group was subdivided into CHC-without LC or HCC (N-CHC), CHC-with LC (CHC-LC), and CHC-with HCC (CHC-HCC). Twenty-seven healthy individuals also participated as controls. Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD19+ B cell subsets based on the expression of CD24 and CD38. CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Immature/transitional B cells elevated in diabetic than non-diabetic patients. In diabetic patients, while CD19+CD24+CD38- primarily memory B cells were higher in CHC-N and CHC-HCC groups than LC with a good predictive accuracy of LC, the opposite was observed for CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells. Only in diabetic patients, the CD19+CD24intCD38int naïve mature B cells were high in CHC-HCC patients with good prognostic accuracy of HCC. Merely in diabetic patients, several correlations were observed between B cell subsets and liver function. Immature/transitional B cells increase remarkably in diabetic CHCpatients and might have a role in liver disease progression. Memory and Naïve B cells are good potential predictors of LC and HCCin diabetic CHCpatients, respectively. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of the CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells in disease progression in CHC patients.
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MESH Headings
- ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1/genetics
- ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1/immunology
- Adult
- Aged
- Antigens, CD19/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/classification
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/virology
- CD24 Antigen/genetics
- CD24 Antigen/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Case-Control Studies
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Hepacivirus/growth & development
- Hepacivirus/pathogenicity
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/pathology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Immunologic Memory
- Immunophenotyping
- Liver Cirrhosis/etiology
- Liver Cirrhosis/immunology
- Liver Cirrhosis/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis/virology
- Liver Neoplasms/etiology
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Male
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology
- Middle Aged
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaled M Hassanein
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA
| | - Mohamed O Abdelmalek
- Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt.
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15
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Abstract
Vasculitis mimickers are structural or pathologic entities that resemble the vasculitis clinical presentation and/or diagnostic findings. Their presence can be a conundrum, and physicians require careful assessment and adequate knowledge physicians when considering a diagnosis of vasculitis. Although they are considered mimickers, the therapeutic approach for most of them differs widely from that of vasculitis as high-dose steroids and potent immunosuppressive regimens are usually indicated in the latter. In fact, steroid therapy is contraindicated and is considered harmful in some of these mimickers (e.g. segmental arterial mediolysis). Therefore, it is important to distinguish them from vasculitis to prevent complications from immunosuppressive therapy. Hereby, we present a challenging case of a 64-year-old man who presented with acute gangrenous changes on his right fingers due to arterial thrombus after trauma resembling vasculitis.
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16
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An Approach to Retiform Purpura for the Inpatient Dermatologist. CURRENT DERMATOLOGY REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13671-019-00281-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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17
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Mariscal-Rodríguez A, Villar Guimerans L, López-Trascasa M, Hernández González M, Moga Naranjo E. Guía de laboratorio para el diagnóstico de pacientes con síndrome crioglobulinémico. Rev Clin Esp 2019; 219:505-513. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of patients with cryoglobulinemic syndrome. Rev Clin Esp 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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19
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Cheah JT, Faragon JJ, Marks KM. Management of hepatitis B and C infections in rheumatologic disease. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2019; 32:848-868. [PMID: 31427059 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B and C viruses present dual considerations in rheumatic disease as both etiologic factors and important comorbidities that must be assessed and addressed. This review summarizes the link between hepatitis B and arthritis and polyarteritis nodosa as well as hepatitis C and arthritis, Sicca syndrome and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Recent data pertaining to the antiviral management in these conditions, especially regarding the use of the direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C, are also presented. Additionally, guidance on testing and treatment of hepatitis B and C as comorbidities in the context of systemic inflammatory rheumatic conditions and the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tl Cheah
- Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70th St., New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - John J Faragon
- Department of Pharmacy and Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
| | - Kristen M Marks
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 70th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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20
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Ceribelli A, De Santis M, Selmi C. Sex and autoimmune disease: Four mechanisms pointing at women. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2019; 30:162-166. [PMID: 32185359 PMCID: PMC7045856 DOI: 10.31138/mjr.30.3.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ultimate goal of modern medicine is a personalized approach being tailored on the single patient, ie, tailored, based on a finely tuned definition of the immunogenetics, epigenetics, microbiome, and biomarkers, to maximize results and minimize risks particularly of new targeted treatments. Among individual factors around which to tailor the patient management are sex and age, with gender-medicine finally becoming central to the research agenda. Of note, we are not convinced that a whole personalized medicine approach in its current form will necessarily include gender medicine and thus this should remain central to the research agenda. To tackle this crucial issue, however, we should first be able to answer a question of paramount importance, that is, why does autoimmunity affect women more than men? The growing number of experimental works in this area militate against an easy answer to this question, but we will herein briefly discuss four major candidates (sex hormones, sex chromosomes, environmental factors, and the microbiome) to which some unsuspected others may be ancillary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Ceribelli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Maria De Santis
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, Italy
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21
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Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based, interferon-free therapy : The Management of rheumatologic extrahepatic manifestations associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Z Rheumatol 2019; 77:621-628. [PMID: 28795238 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-017-0356-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of pegylated interferon alpha (IFN) has been of concern in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with rheumatologic extrahepatic manifestations (EHM) due to the immunostimulatory effects of IFN. AIM To study the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based, IFN-free antiviral therapy in chronic HCV patients with rheumatologic EHM. MATERIAL AND METHODS Group A included 24 patients with arthropathy (arthralgia or arthritis, n = 15) or vasculitis (n = 9) who received sofosbuvir and ribavirin (n = 17) or sofosbuvir and simeprevir (n = 7). Group B comprised 15 historical controls suffering from arthropathy who had received IFN and ribavirin. All patients were clinically evaluated and by detection of HCV viremia at baseline (V0), at the end of treatment (V1), 12 weeks after end of treatment (V2) and 24 weeks after end of treatment (V3). RESULTS Sustained viral response was obtained in all patients of group A (100%) versus 12 out of 15 of group B (80%). In group A, the tender joint count (TJC) and visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) improved (p = 0.001 for both) while the swollen joint count (SJC) decreased at V1 (p = 0.001) but returned to baseline values at V3. All vasculitis patients improved. Purpura, arthralgia and leg ulcers disappeared, but peripheral neuropathy persisted. In group B, TJC, SJC and VAS increased from baseline values (p = 0.034, 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). Side effects in group A were generally mild, but one patient developed deterioration of arthralgia. CONCLUSION The use of IFN-free regimens is safe and effective in the treatment of most HCV-related rheumatologic EHM.
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22
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Attia DHS, Abdel Noor RA, Salah S. Shedding light on vasculitis in Egypt: a multicenter retrospective cohort study of characteristics, management, and outcome. Clin Rheumatol 2019; 38:1675-1684. [PMID: 30737592 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The frequency of different vasculitides and their characteristics vary among different regions. The identification of geographic disparities of disease phenotypes helps the development of international criteria, allowing the classification of patients of different ethnicities. This study aimed to describe the frequency, characteristics, course, response to treatment, and outcome of the different adulthood vasculitides in Egypt. METHODS This was a multicenter study in which the medical records of adult Egyptian patients diagnosed with vasculitis between 2002 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS The most frequent vasculitides in Egypt were Behçet's disease (76%), hepatitis C virus vasculitis (13.9%), and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (3.9%). Most patients (73.8%) had a major event at the time of diagnosis. Generalized granulomatosis with polyangiitis was more common than the localized type (90% versus 10%, respectively). The aortic arch and its branches were the most common affected sites of Takayasu arteritis. Of vasculitides, Behçet's disease and giant cell arteritis were associated with the greatest rates of relapse (62.7% and 33.3%, respectively). Delayed diagnosis and permanent organ damage were reported in 69.9% and 68.9% of patients, respectively. A low mortality rate was noted (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS The most common types of adulthood vasculitides in Egypt are Behçet's disease, hepatitis C virus vasculitis, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Major organ involvement is frequent. Delayed diagnosis and permanent organ damage are common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa Hassan Sayed Attia
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Hospitals, Saray El Manial Street, El Manial, Cairo, 11956, Egypt.
| | - Rasha A Abdel Noor
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Salah
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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23
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Marion O, Abravanel F, Del Bello A, Esposito L, Lhomme S, Puissant-Lubrano B, Alric L, Faguer S, Izopet J, Kamar N. Hepatitis E virus-associated cryoglobulinemia in solid-organ-transplant recipients. Liver Int 2018; 38:2178-2189. [PMID: 29845733 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS An association between hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and cryoglobulinemia has been suggested. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia during HEV infection in solid-organ-transplant (SOT) recipients, to describe its outcomes under ribavirin therapy and to evaluate its effects on kidney function and histology. METHODS Between November 2005 and June 2016, 128 cases of HEV infection were diagnosed among SOT recipients followed in our institution. Cryoglobulinemia data obtained from 66 patients during acute-phase HEV and 51 patients during chronic-phase HEV were compared to a historical control group of 89 SOT recipients without HEV markers. Cryoglobulins were also monitored in a group of 43 patients treated by ribavirin. RESULTS The prevalence of cryoglobulinemia was increased in HEV-infected SOT patients during a chronic phase (52.9%) compared to HEV-infected SOT patients at acute phase (36.4%) (P = .1) and to HEV-negative SOT patients (23.6%) (P < .001). HEV infection was identified as an independent predictive factor for cryoglobulinemia (OR 2.3, CI 95%: 1.17-4.55, P = .02). After ribavirin therapy and HEV clearance, the prevalence of cryoglobulin was significantly decreased from 53.5% to 20.9% (P = .003). Kidney function was significantly worse and proteinuria tended to be higher in chronically HEV-infected patients with cryoglobulinemia compared to those without cryoglobulinemia. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was diagnosed in 2 patients, of which 1 had detectable cryoglobulinemia. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, a relationship between HEV and cryoglobulin formation seems to exist. However, the clinical impact of cryoglobulinemia in SOT patients infected with HEV has to be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Marion
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.,Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Inserm UMR1043, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Abravanel
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Inserm UMR1043, Toulouse, France.,Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Del Bello
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
| | - Laure Esposito
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France
| | - Sebastien Lhomme
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Inserm UMR1043, Toulouse, France.,Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Laurent Alric
- Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Internal Medicine-Digestive Department, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Stanislas Faguer
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Inserm UMR1043, Toulouse, France.,Laboratory of Virology, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.,Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Inserm UMR1043, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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24
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Clinical practice: hepatitis C virus infection, cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Clin Exp Med 2018; 19:1-21. [PMID: 30430284 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-018-0536-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cryoglobulins are circulating immunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate at temperatures below 37 °C. Type-II cryoglobulins consist of monoclonal IgM/polyclonal IgG immune complexes (ICs), whereas in type-III cryoglobulins both IgM and IgG are polyclonal. The clinical condition resulting from the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood is called mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), which can be asymptomatic or manifest as cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV). Type-I cryoglobulins, consisting of a single monoclonal isotype, are detected in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. It is now established that > 90% of MCs are associated with HCV infection. Clinically, the spectrum of symptoms may range in severity from occasional purpuric eruptions to life-threatening features. In addition to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the possible progression of HCV-positive CV patients to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) has been reported. The pathogenetic role played by HCV infection in the onset of B-NHL is suggested by regression of the latter following the achievement of a sustained virologic response (SVR). For several years, interferon-α alone or combined with ribavirin has been the standard of care. However, the rates of clinical, biochemical, and virologic responses have been low, and the occurrence of relapse frequent. The addition of rituximab has resulted in a higher rate of responses. With the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents, SVR has been achieved in ~ 95% of CV patients. However, in a minority of patients, despite SVR, CV may persist or reappear over variable lengths of time from the completion of therapy. The eventual appearance of B-NHL is also possible.
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25
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Abstract
Cryoglobulinaemia refers to the serum presence of cryoglobulins, which are defined as immunoglobulins that precipitate at temperatures <37 °C. Type I cryoglobulinaemia consists of only one isotype or subclass of monoclonal immunoglobulin, whereas type II and type III are classified as mixed cryoglobulinaemia because they include immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM. Many lymphoproliferative, infectious and autoimmune disorders have been associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia; however, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the aetiologic agent in most patients. The underlying mechanism of the disorder is B cell lymphoproliferation and autoantibody production. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia can cause systemic vasculitis, with manifestations ranging from purpura, arthralgia and weakness to more serious lesions with skin ulcers, neurological and renal involvement. This Primer focuses on mixed cryoglobulinaemia, which has a variable course and a prognosis that is primarily influenced by vasculitis-associated multiorgan damage. In addition, the underlying associated disease in itself may cause considerable mortality and morbidity. Treatment of cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis should be modulated according to the underlying associated disease and the severity of organ involvement and relies on antiviral treatment (for HCV infection), immunosuppression and immunotherapy, particularly anti-CD20 B cell depletion therapies.
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Spatola L, Generali E, Angelini C, Badalamenti S, Selmi C. HCV-negative mixed cryoglobulinemia and kidney involvement: in-depth review on physiopathological and histological bases. Clin Exp Med 2018; 18:465-471. [PMID: 29956004 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-018-0514-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Type II mixed cryoglobulinemia without evidence of HCV infection but rather with renal involvement has been occasionally described. The pathogenesis of cryoglobulinemic kidney disease is most likely related to immune complex deposition including cryoglobulins, and cryoaggregation after cold exposure could play a pivotal role in clinical expression of cryoglobulinemia. In these cases, acute kidney injury and proteinuria remain the most frequent clinical expression of a cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Type II cryoglobulinemia with the laboratory finding of both monoclonal and polyclonal cryoglobulins is the most prevalent bio-humoral pattern among HCV-negative phenotypes with renal involvement, while type III cryoglobulinemia with polyclonal Ig is rare. Histological data in renal biopsies support the hypothesis that regardless of the HCV status cryoglobulinemia vasculitis share the same frequent pathological finding of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritides, but other histological patterns have also been observed in a minority of cases. In HCV-negative mixed cryoglobulinaemia, the paraneoplastic origin of the immune dysfunction should be ruled out and sporadic cases have been reported, while there is no cumulative evidence on the prevalence of these tumour-associated manifestations. Moving from the classification criteria and the etiopathogenesis of mixed cryoglobulinaemia, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the appearance of the disease with kidney injury in association with malignancies or autoimmune disorders without HCV coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Spatola
- Unit of Nephrology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Elena Generali
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Angelini
- Unit of Nephrology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Badalamenti
- Unit of Nephrology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Montero N, Favà A, Rodriguez E, Barrios C, Cruzado JM, Pascual J, Soler MJ. Treatment for hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 5:CD011403. [PMID: 29734473 PMCID: PMC6494545 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011403.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia is the manifestation of an inflammation of small and medium-sized vessels produced by a pathogenic IgM with rheumatoid factor activity generated by an expansion of B-cells. The immune complexes formed precipitate mainly in the skin, joints, kidneys or peripheral nerve fibres. Current therapeutic approaches are aimed at elimination of HCV infection, removal of cryoglobulins and also of the B-cell clonal expansions. The optimal treatment for it has not been established. OBJECTIVES This review aims to look at the benefits and harms of the currently available treatment options to treat the HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia with active manifestations of vasculitis (cutaneous or glomerulonephritis). SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register to 30 November 2017 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs looking at interventions directed at treatment of HCV-associated cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (immunosuppressive medications and plasma exchange therapy) have been included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed the retrieved titles and abstracts. Authors of included studies were contacted to obtain missing information. Statistical analyses were performed using random effects models and results expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The planned primary outcomes were kidney disease, skin vasculitis, musculoskeletal symptoms, peripheral joint arthralgia, peripheral neuropathies, liver involvement, interstitial lung involvement, widespread vasculitis and death. Other planned outcomes were: therapy duration, laboratory findings, adverse effects, antiviral therapy failure, B-cell lymphoma, endocrine disorders and costs of treatment. MAIN RESULTS Ten studies were included in the review (394 participants). None of them evaluated direct-acting antivirals. Seven studies were single-centre studies and three were multicentre. The duration of the studies varied from six to 36 months. The risk of bias was generally unclear or low. Three different interventions were examined: use of rituximab (3 studies, 118 participants); interferon (IFN) (IFN compared to other strategies (5 studies, 223 participants); six IFN months versus one year (1 study, 36 participants), and immunoadsorption apheresis versus only immunosuppressive therapy (1 study, 17 participants).The use of rituximab may slightly improve skin vasculitis (2 studies, 78 participants: RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.16; moderate certainty evidence) and made little of no difference to kidney disease (moderate certainty evidence). In terms of laboratory data, the effect of rituximab was uncertain for cryocrit (MD -2.01%, 95% CI -10.29% to 6.27%, low certainty evidence) and HCV replication. Rituximab may slightly increase infusion reactions compared to immunosuppressive medication (3 studies, 118 participants: RR 4.33, 95%CI 0.76 to 24.75, moderate certainty evidence) however discontinuations of the treatment due to adverse reactions were similar (3 studies, 118 participants: RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.22 to 4.36, moderate certainty evidence).Effects of lFN on clinical symptoms were evaluated only in narrative results. When laboratory parameters were assessed, IFN made little or no difference in levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) at six months (2 studies, 39 participants: MD -5.89 UI/L, 95%CI -55.77 to 43.99); rheumatoid factor activity at six months (1 study, 13 participants: MD 97.00 UI/mL, 95%CI -187.37 to 381.37), or C4 levels at 18 months (2 studies, 49 participants: MD -0.04 mg/dL, 95%CI -2.74 to 2.67). On the other hand, at 18 months IFN may probably decrease ALT (2 studies, 39 participants: MD -28.28 UI/L, 95%CI -48.03 to -8.54) and Ig M (-595.75 mg/dL, 95%CI -877.2 to -314.3), but all with low certainty evidence. One study reported infusion reactions may be higher in IFN group compared to immunosuppressive therapy (RR 27.82, 95%CI 1.72 to 449.18), and IFN may lead to higher discontinuations of the treatment due to adverse reactions (4 studies, 148 participants: RR 2.32, 95%CI 0.91 to 5.90) with low certainty evidence. Interferon therapy probably improved skin vasculitis (3 studies, 95 participants: RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.00) and proteinuria (2 studies, 49 participants: MD -1.98 g/24 h, 95% CI -2.89 to -1.07), without changing serum creatinine at 18 months (2 studies, 49 participants: MD -30.32 μmol/L, 95%CI -80.59 to 19.95).Six months versus one year treatment with IFN resulted in differences terms of the maintenance of the response, 89% of patients in the six months group presented a relapse and only 11% maintained a long-term response at one year, while in the one year group only 78% relapsed and long-term response was observed in 22%. The one-year therapy was linked to a higher number of side-effects (severe enough to cause the discontinuation of treatment in two cases) than the six-month schedule.One study reported immunoadsorption apheresis had uncertain effects on skin vasculitis (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.05 to 4.02), peripheral neuropathies (RR 2.70, 95%CI 0.13 to 58.24), and peripheral joint arthralgia (RR 2.70, 95%CI 0.13 to 58.24), cryocrit (MD 0.01%, 95%CI -1.86 to 1.88) at six months, and no infusion reactions were reported. However when clinical scores were evaluated, they reported changes were more favourable in immunoadsorption apheresis with higher remission of severe clinical complications (80% versus 33%, P = 0.05) compared to immunosuppressive treatment alone.In terms of death, it was not possible to present a pooled intervention effect estimate because most of the studies reported no deaths, or did not report death as an outcome. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS To treat HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia, it may be beneficial to eliminate HCV infection by using antiviral treatment and to stop the immune response by using rituximab. For skin vasculitis and for some laboratory findings, it may be appropriate to combine antiviral treatment with deletion of B-cell clonal expansions by using of rituximab. The applicability of evidence reviewed here is limited by the absence of any studies with direct-acting antivirals, which are urgently needed to guide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Montero
- Hospital Universitari de BellvitgeDepartment of NephrologyFeixa Illarga s/nL'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain08907
| | - Alexandre Favà
- Hospital Universitari de BellvitgeDepartment of NephrologyFeixa Illarga s/nL'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain08907
| | - Eva Rodriguez
- Hospital del Mar‐IMIMDepartment of NephrologyPasseig Maritim 25‐29BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain08003
| | - Clara Barrios
- Hospital del Mar‐IMIMDepartment of NephrologyPasseig Maritim 25‐29BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain08003
| | - Josep M Cruzado
- Hospital Universitari de BellvitgeDepartment of NephrologyFeixa Illarga s/nL'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain08907
| | - Julio Pascual
- Hospital del Mar‐IMIMDepartment of NephrologyPasseig Maritim 25‐29BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain08003
| | - Maria Jose Soler
- Hospital del Mar‐IMIMDepartment of NephrologyPasseig Maritim 25‐29BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain08003
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Hu KQ, Cui W. Persistence of Circulating Hepatitis C Virus Antigens-Specific Immune Complexes in Patients with Resolved HCV Infection. Dig Dis Sci 2018. [PMID: 29516328 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-4968-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our recent study indicated the possible presence of detectable hepatitis C virus antigens (HCV-Ags) after denaturation of sera with resolved HCV (R-HCV) infection. The present study determined and characterized persistent HCV-Ags-specific immune complexes (ICs) in these patients. METHODS Sixty-eight sera with R-HCV and 34 with viremic HCV (V-HCV) infection were tested for free and IC-bound HCV-Ags using HCV-Ags enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the presence of HCV-Ags-specific ICs by immunoprecipitation and Western blot (IP-WB), HCV ICs containing HCV virions using IP and HCV RNA RT-PCR, and correlation of HCV ICs with clinical presentation in these patients. RESULTS Using HCV-Ags EIA, we found 57.4% of sera with R-HCV infection were tested positive for bound, but not free HCV-Ags. Using pooled or individual anti-HCV E1/E2, cAg, NS3, NS4b, and/or NS5a to precipitate HCV-specific-Ags, we confirmed persistent HCV-Ags ICs specific to various HCV structural and non-structural proteins not only in V-HCV infection, but also in R-HCV infection. Using IP and HCV RNA PCR, we then confirmed the presence of HCV virions within circulating ICs in V-HCV, but not in R-HCV sera. Multivariable analysis indicated significant and independent associations of persistent circulating HCV-Ags-specific ICs with both age and the presence of cirrhosis in patients with R-HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS Various HCV-Ag-specific ICs, but not virions, persist in 57.4% of patients who had spontaneous or treatment-induced HCV clearance for 6 months to 20 years. These findings enriched our knowledge on HCV pathogenesis and support further study on its long-term clinical relevance, such as extrahepatic manifestation, transfusion medicine, and hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Qin Hu
- Division of GI/Hepatology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, 101 The City Drive, Building 56, Ste. 237, Orange, CA, 92868, USA.
| | - Wei Cui
- Division of GI/Hepatology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, 101 The City Drive, Building 56, Ste. 237, Orange, CA, 92868, USA
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Bunchorntavakul C, Mitrani R, Reddy KR. Advances in HCV and Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis in the Era of DAAs: Are We at the End of the Road? J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:81-94. [PMID: 29743799 PMCID: PMC5938331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-related Mixed Cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a unique condition with complex pathogenesis that involves HCV antigen-driven B-lymphocyte clonal proliferation and mutagenesis. Clinical spectrum of MC ranges from asymptomatic state to clinically-apparent vasculitis involving multiple organs. In the era of Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) therapy, patients with HCV-related MC achieve high rates of viral clearance that is commonly accompanied by an improvement in clinical symptoms as well as immunological profiles. Rituximab, either alone or in combination with DAA, has also been shown to be effective. Nevertheless, there have been limited and somewhat conflicting data, particularly over the long-term, regarding the rate and degree of clinical response of MC following DAA therapy. It appears that we have come quite a long way in the last decade with this condition. As with non-MC related HCV, undoubtedly long term outcome data will be forthcoming over the next few years. As we move forward successful therapy of HCV is not likely to be a challenge in contrast to access to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalermrat Bunchorntavakul
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Rajavithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Robert Mitrani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2 Dulles, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - K. Rajender Reddy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2 Dulles, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Csernok E, Bossuyt X. Investigations in systemic vasculitis. The role of the laboratory. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018; 32:52-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mathur P, Emmanuel B, Sneller M, Zhang X, Poonia B, Kottilil S. Recovery of hepatitis C specific T-cell responses after rituximab therapy in hepatitis C mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. J Med Virol 2018; 90:936-941. [PMID: 29236302 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is associated with monoclonal B cell expansion in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. B cell depletion therapy using rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been successful in achieving remission from symptomatic disease. This study investigated whether B cell depletion therapy has an impact on activation of HCV-specific T cell phenotype and function. Nineteen patients with Hepatitis C mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis were treated with 4 cycles of rituximab (375 mg/m2 ) and variables were measured 6 months after therapy. Using flow cytometry and Enzyme-Linked Immunospot assay, the number of activated and tissue-like B cells and number of T cells expressing Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), and multiple cytokines were measured before and after rituximab therapy. B cell depletion therapy is associated with a significant (P < 0.0001) decline in peripheral T cells with exhaustive phenotype, from pre-therapy to post-therapy-of rituximab (mean ± standard error): CD4+ (16.9 ± 0.9% to 8.9 ± 1.0%) and CD8+ (6.8 ± 0.6% to 3.0 ± 0.5%) T cells expressing PD-1 and CD4+ (11.0 ± 1.0% to 6.1 ± 0.8%) and CD8+ (12.7 ± 0.7% to 6.4 ± 0.4%) T cells expressing TIM-3. In addition, there was a significantly higher percentage of peripheral CD8+ T cells responding to HCV peptide stimulation in vitro secreting IFN-γ (4.55 ± 0.3 to 9.6 ± 1.0 IFN-γ/106 PBMCs, P < 0.0001), and more than one cytokine (1.3 ± 0.1% to 3.8 ± 0.2%, P < 0.0001) after therapy compared to pre-therapy. B cell depletion therapy results in recovery of T cell exhaustion and function in patients with HCV cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Mathur
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Benjamin Emmanuel
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Sneller
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Bhawna Poonia
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shyamasundaran Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
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Emery JS, Kuczynski M, La D, Almarzooqi S, Kowgier M, Shah H, Wong D, Janssen HLA, Feld JJ. Efficacy and Safety of Direct Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Mixed Cryoglobulinemia. Am J Gastroenterol 2017; 112:1298-1308. [PMID: 28291241 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2017.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mixed cryoglobulinemia is strongly associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and ranges from being asymptomatic to causing life-threatening vasculitis. In those with symptoms, treatment with pegylated interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) reduces mortality. However, few data are available on the safety and efficacy of antiviral therapy with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) in the treatment of HCV-related cryoglobulinemia. METHODS Patients treated for HCV-related cryoglobulinemia with DAA±pegIFN were retrospectively evaluated at a tertiary care center. Primary outcomes were virological, immunological, and clinical response. Complete (normalization), partial (>50% reduction), or non-response (<50% reduction) were used to describe change in cryocrit or vasculitic manifestations at week 12 post treatment. Side effects, hospitalizations, and decompensating events were recorded. RESULTS Eighteen symptomatic and 65 asymptomatic patients were reviewed (61% male, median age 58 years) including 10 with severe/life-threatening vasculitis. Sixty-six (79.5%) patients received pegIFN-free therapy. Sustained virological response (SVR) was attained in 16 (88.9%) symptomatic and 59 (90.8%) asymptomatic patients. Cryoglobulins disappeared in 5 (29.4%) symptomatic and 27 (52.9%) asymptomatic patients. Of symptomatic patients with SVR, clinical response was complete in 7 (38.8%) and partial response in 4 (22.2%). Of the 5 viral relapsers, 1 had a complete response during therapy with no symptomatic recurrence, while the other patients had no clinical response. Among 7 with severe vasculitis, 6 achieved SVR but only 1 had a complete clinical response, with 3 showing a partial response and 2 showing no improvement. All four with life-threatening vasculitis required plasmapheresis and three received rituximab. All achieved SVR leading to partial clinical response in two, but no response in two. Skin manifestations (39% reduction) were most likely to completely resolve with lower responses seen in renal (11.2% reduction) and neurological symptoms (11.1%). Eighty-two (98.8%) patients completed therapy, with 19 (22.8%) reporting adverse events. Hospitalization for decompensation or worsening vasculitis occurred in five (6.0%) and four (22.2) patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS DAAs resulted in high rates of SVR in patients with cryoglobulinemia. Safety and tolerability were excellent; however, most patients did not have a complete clinical or immunological response, suggesting a delay to clinical response particularly in those with severe/life-threatening vasculitis. Further follow-up will be required to determine if clinical improvement continues after viral clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Emery
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Magdalena Kuczynski
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danie La
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saeed Almarzooqi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Kowgier
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hemant Shah
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Portugal S, Obeng-Adjei N, Moir S, Crompton PD, Pierce SK. Atypical memory B cells in human chronic infectious diseases: An interim report. Cell Immunol 2017; 321:18-25. [PMID: 28735813 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunological memory is a remarkable phenomenon in which survival of an initial infection by a pathogen leads to life-long protection from disease upon subsequent exposure to that same pathogen. For many infectious diseases, long-lived protective humoral immunity is induced after only a single infection in a process that depends on the generation of memory B cells (MBCs) and long-lived plasma cells. However, over the past decade it has become increasingly evident that many chronic human infectious diseases to which immunity is not readily established, including HIV-AIDS, malaria and TB, are associated with fundamental alterations in the composition and functionality of MBC compartments. A common feature of these diseases appears to be a large expansion of what have been termed exhausted B cells, tissue-like memory B cells or atypical memory B cells (aMBCs) that, for simplicity's sake, we refer to here as aMBCs. It has been suggested that chronic immune activation and inflammation drive the expansion of aMBCs and that in some way aMBCs contribute to deficiencies in the acquisition of immunity in chronic infectious diseases. Although aMBCs are heterogeneous both within individuals and between diseases, they have several features in common including low expression of the cell surface markers that define classical MBCs in humans including CD21 and CD27 and high expression of genes not usually expressed by classical MBCs including T-bet, CD11c and a variety of inhibitory receptors, notably members of the FcRL family. Another distinguishing feature is their greatly diminished ability to be stimulated through their B cell receptors to proliferate, secrete cytokines or produce antibodies. In this review, we describe our current understanding of the phenotypic markers of aMBCs, their specificity in relation to the disease-causing pathogen, their functionality, the drivers of their expansion in chronic infections and their life span. We briefly summarize the features of aMBCs in healthy individuals and in autoimmune disease. We also comment on the possible relationship of human aMBCs and T-bet+, CD11c+ age/autoimmune-associated B cells, also a topic of this review volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Portugal
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nyamekye Obeng-Adjei
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Susan Moir
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter D Crompton
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Susan K Pierce
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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Russi S, Sansonno D, Monaco S, Mariotto S, Ferrari S, Pavone F, Lauletta G, Dammacco F. HCV RNA Genomic sequences and HCV-E2 glycoprotein in sural nerve biopsies from HCV-infected patients with peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2017; 44:427-438. [PMID: 28543916 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Peripheral neuropathy (PN), the major neurological complication of chronic HCV infection, is frequently associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) and small-vessel systemic vasculitis. While humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms are suspected to act together in an aberrant immune response that results in peripheral nerve damage, the role of HCV remains largely speculative. The possible demonstration of HCV in peripheral nerve tissue would obviously assume important pathogenic implications. METHODS We studied sural nerve biopsies from 11 HCV-positive patients with neuropathic symptoms: five with and six without MC. In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunofluorescence studies were carried out to detect genomic and antigenomic HCV RNA sequences and HCV-encoded E2-glycoprotein, respectively. RESULTS Epineurial vascular deposits of E2-glycoprotein were found in four (80%) MC and in two (33.3%) non-MC patients, respectively. These findings were enhanced by the perivascular deposition of positive-, though not negative-strand replicative RNA, as also found in the nerve extracts of all patients. Mild inflammatory cell infiltrates with no deposits of immunoglobulins and/or complement proteins were revealed around small vessels, without distinct vasculitis changes between MC and non-MC patients. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that nerve vascular HCV RNA/E2 deposits associated to perivascular inflammatory infiltrates were similar in chronically HCV-infected patients, regardless of cryoglobulin occurrence. Given the failure to demonstrate HCV productive infection in the examined sural nerve biopsies, nerve damage is likely to result from virus-triggered immune-mediated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Russi
- Liver Unit, Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - D Sansonno
- Liver Unit, Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - S Monaco
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - S Mariotto
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - S Ferrari
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - F Pavone
- Liver Unit, Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - G Lauletta
- Liver Unit, Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - F Dammacco
- Liver Unit, Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Bazerbachi F, Leise MD, Watt KD, Murad MH, Prokop LJ, Haffar S. Systematic review of mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with hepatitis E virus infection: association or causation? Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2017; 5:178-184. [PMID: 28852522 PMCID: PMC5554391 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/gox021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim: Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) has been associated with several viral infections, and chronic hepatitis C is recognized as a major cause. MC associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been described and little is known about this rare association. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of MC associated with HEV, and examine the presence of a causal relationship. Methods: An experienced librarian conducted a search of databases from each database’s inception to 12 December 2016 based on a priori criteria. The risk of bias was assessed, and Hill’s criteria were applied to determine causality. Results: Five publications met inclusion criteria, with a total of 15 cases. Three studies had low, one low to moderate and one moderate risk of bias. Median age was 43 years, and all patients came from Western Europe. Two patients were immunocompetent, while 13 were immunosuppressed, post solid organ transplant and had chronic hepatitis E. Renal involvement was observed in seven patients, mild to moderately severe cryoglobulinemic disease in one patient and severe cryoglobulinemic disease in three patients. One patient improved spontaneously, and another was treated with immunosuppressant reduction leading to viral clearance. Ten patients treated with peg-interferon or ribavirin for 3 months achieved loss of cryoglobulinemia and end-of-treatment response, but sustained virologic response was reported and achieved in two. Immunosuppressant achieved loss of cryoglobulinemia in three patients. One case of chronic renal failure, three cases of end-stage renal disease and one death were observed. Five of the nine Hill’s criteria were fulfilled. Conclusion: MC has been described with HEV infection. A causal relationship between HEV infection and cryoglobulinemia is highly probable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateh Bazerbachi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michael D Leise
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kymberly D Watt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Larry J Prokop
- Library Public Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Samir Haffar
- Digestive Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
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Abstract
Viral arthritis and vasculitis are important differential diagnoses primarily in patients with acute polyarticular arthritis in association with fever and rash, in populations specially at risk and in returning travellers. Parvovirus B19 is the most frequent cause of viral arthritis in Europe, whereas rubella, hepatitis B and C viruses have become less common. Due to worldwide tourism arthritogenic alphaviruses, which are transmitted by mosquito vectors have come into the focus of tropical medicine and rheumatology. Viral arthritis is typically self-limiting but due to severe pain often requires symptomatic therapy with nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs; however, arthritis and vasculitis may also be a manifestation of an important treatable viral infection, such as hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV).
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sixdorf
- Klinik Innere Medizin IV (Rheumatologie, klinische Immunologie und Nephrologie), HELIOS Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik Wiesbaden, Ludwig Erhard Str. 100, 65199, Wiesbaden, Deutschland
| | - E Märker-Hermann
- Klinik Innere Medizin IV (Rheumatologie, klinische Immunologie und Nephrologie), HELIOS Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik Wiesbaden, Ludwig Erhard Str. 100, 65199, Wiesbaden, Deutschland.
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Cusato J, Boglione L, De Nicolò A, Cardellino CS, Carcieri C, Cariti G, Di Perri G, D'Avolio A. Pharmacogenetic analysis of hepatitis C virus related mixed cryoglobulinemia. Pharmacogenomics 2017; 18:607-611. [PMID: 28453396 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is an extra hepatic hepatitis C virus related problem and different studies suggested genetics' role in predicting this complication. We evaluated the influence of SNPs in IL-28B, SLC29A1, SLC28A2, NT5C2, HNF4 and ABCB1 genes in MC prediction. PATIENTS & METHODS SNPs were evaluated through real-time PCR. RESULTS ABCB1 (gene encoding P-glycoprotein) 3435C>T SNP was associated with MC presence (p = 0.034): related to T allele carriers (CC vs CT/TT), we reached a p-value of 0.013. In the logistic regression analysis baseline viral load >600.000 IU/ml (p < 001), IL28B rs8099917/rs12979860 TT/CC (p < 0.001), NT5 (gene encoding for 5' nucleotidase) 153 TC (p = 0.012) and ABCB1 3435 CT/TT (p = 0.034) genotypes predicted MC presence. CONCLUSION These data could help clinicians to identify patients with higher probability to show MC extra hepatic complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cusato
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lucio Boglione
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Amedeo De Nicolò
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Simona Cardellino
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Carcieri
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cariti
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Perri
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Avolio
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms as predictors of hepatitis C virus-related mixed cryoglobulinemia. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2017; 26:307-10. [PMID: 27139837 DOI: 10.1097/fpc.0000000000000223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is the most frequent extrahepatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) complication. Vitamin D is a modulator of several biological processes, including immune and skeletal systems and MC presence and systemic vasculitis were associated independently with low levels of vitamin D. Considering the impact of vitamin D, we aimed to evaluate the role of some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of vitamin D pathway genes in the prediction of MC in HCV patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. We investigated SNPs in IL-28B, CYP27B1, CYP27A1, CYP24A1, VDBP, and VDR genes through real-time PCR. VDR gene SNPs were related to baseline viral load: VDR BsmI AA (P=0.018), TaqI CC (P=0.009), and ApaI AA (P=0.004) showed a lower baseline HCV count. Among vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms, VDR FokI T>C was a factor associated with the presence of MC in the study population (P=0.011): related to C allele carriers (TT vs. TC/CC), we obtained a P-value of 0.003. In the logistic regression analysis to assess which demographic, clinical, or genetic factors could predict the presence of cryoglobulin, the TT/CC IL-28B rs8099917/rs12979860 haplotype [P<0.001; odds ratio (OR) 3.516 (1.951-6.336)], baseline viral load [P<0.001; OR 1.000 (0.999-1.001)], and VDR FokI TC/CC genotypes [0.044; OR 0.463 (0.218-0.981)] remained in the final regression model. These data could help physicians identify patients with a higher probability of developing MC extrahepatic complications.
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Shiffman ML, Gunn NT. Impact of hepatitis C virus therapy on metabolism and public health. Liver Int 2017; 37 Suppl 1:13-18. [PMID: 28052632 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and leads to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hepatic steatosis in many patients. These metabolic complications of HCV have been shown to accelerate the progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis and increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The metabolic syndrome is a common disorder that also includes IR, T2DM and hepatic steatosis. Approximately 20%-30% of patients with chronic HCV also have co-existent metabolic syndrome. The cause of steatosis in patients with the features of both the metabolic syndrome and chronic HCV is sometime difficult to determine. Patients with metabolic syndrome and chronic HCV are also at risk of developing renal, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Recent data suggest that HCV is an independent risk factor for renal, coronary and cerebral vascular disease, and may increase mortality associated with these disorders. The treatment of HCV can now result in a sustained virological response and cure nearly all patients with chronic HCV. The eradication of HCV reduces the risk of developing IR and T2DM, improves IR and 2TDM, reduces the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, acute cardiac syndrome and stroke in patients with 2TDM. Thus, treatment of chronic HCV can provide a significant public health benefit, but only if all patients with chronic HCV are identified and universally treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell L Shiffman
- Liver Institute of Virginia, Bon Secours Health System, Richmond and Newport News, VA, USA
| | - Nadege T Gunn
- Liver Institute of Virginia, Bon Secours Health System, Richmond and Newport News, VA, USA
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Cryoglobulin Test and Cryoglobulinemia Hepatitis C-Virus Related. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2017; 9:e2017007. [PMID: 28101312 PMCID: PMC5224812 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2017.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate in serum at temperatures below 37°C and resolubilize upon warming. The clinical syndrome of cryoglobulinemia usually includes purpura, weakness, and arthralgia, but the underlying disease may also contribute other symptoms. Blood samples for cryoglobulin are collected, transported, clotted and spun at 37°C, before the precipitate is allowed to form when serum is stored at 4°C in a Wintrobe tube for at least seven days. The most critical and confounding factor affecting the cryoglobulin test is when the preanalytical phase is not fully completed at 37°C. The easiest way to quantify cryoglobulins is the cryocrit estimate. However, this approach has low accuracy and sensitivity. Furthermore, the precipitate should be resolubilized by warming to confirm that it is truly formed of cryoglobulins. The characterization of cryoglobulins requires the precipitate is several times washed, before performing immunofixation, a technique by which cryoglobulins can be classified depending on the characteristics of the detected immunoglobulins. These features imply a pathogenic role of these molecules which are consequently associated with a wide range of symptoms and manifestations. According to the Brouet classification, Cryoglobulins are grouped into three types by the immunochemical properties of immunoglobulins in the cryoprecipitate. The aim of this paper is to review the major aspects of cryoglobulinemia and the laboratory techniques used to detect and characterize cryoglobulins, taking into consideration the presence and consequences of cryoglobulinemia in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
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Abstract
Cryoglobulinemia is a distinct entity characterized by the presence of cryoglobulins in the serum. Cryoglobulins differ in their composition, which has an impact on the clinical presentation and the underlying disease that triggers cryoglobulin formation. Cryoglobulinemia is categorized into two main subgroups: type I, which is seen exclusively in clonal hematologic diseases, and type II/III, which is called mixed cryoglobulinemia and is seen in hepatitis C virus infection and systemic diseases such as B-cell lineage hematologic malignancies and connective tissue disorders. Clinical presentation is broad and varies between types but includes arthralgia, purpura, skin ulcers, glomerulonephritis, and peripheral neuropathy. Life-threatening manifestations can develop in a small proportion of patients. A full evaluation for the underlying cause is required, because each type requires a different kind of treatment, which should be tailored on the basis of disease severity, underlying disease, and prior therapies. Relapses can be frequent and can result in significant morbidity and cumulative organ impairment. We explore the spectrum of this heterogeneous disease by discussing the disease characteristics of 5 different patients.
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Chang Y, Dabiri G, Damstetter E, Baiyee Ebot E, Powers JG, Phillips T. Coagulation disorders and their cutaneous presentations: Pathophysiology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2016; 74:783-92; quiz 793-4. [PMID: 27085225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypercoagulable states are inherited or acquired predispositions to venous or arterial thromboses that are best understood in the context of the coagulation cascade. Dermatologists can play a critical role in diagnosing and treating patients with hypercoagulable states because cutaneous symptoms may be a presenting manifestation, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality related to these conditions. This review focuses on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypercoagulable states, while the accompanying article iterates the basic clinical features, diagnostic testing, and management of patients who have these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyoung Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ganary Dabiri
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Surgery, Roger Williams Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Elizabeth Damstetter
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily Baiyee Ebot
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Group, Providence, Rhode Island
| | | | - Tania Phillips
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Ogishi M, Yotsuyanagi H, Moriya K, Koike K. Delineation of autoantibody repertoire through differential proteogenomics in hepatitis C virus-induced cryoglobulinemia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29532. [PMID: 27403724 PMCID: PMC4941579 DOI: 10.1038/srep29532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies cross-reactive to pathogens and autoantigens are considered pivotal in both infection control and accompanying autoimmunity. However, the pathogenic roles of autoantibodies largely remain elusive without a priori knowledge of disease-specific autoantigens. Here, through a novel quantitative proteogenomics approach, we demonstrated a successful identification of immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (VH) sequences highly enriched in pathological immune complex from clinical specimens obtained from a patient with hepatitis C virus-induced cryoglobulinemia (HCV-CG). Reconstructed single-domain antibodies were reactive to both HCV antigens and potentially liver-derived human proteins. Moreover, over the course of antiviral therapy, a substantial "de-evolution" of a distinct sub-repertoire was discovered, to which proteomically identified cryoprecipitation-prone autoantibodies belonged. This sub-repertoire was characterized by IGHJ6*03-derived, long, hydrophobic complementarity determining region (CDR-H3). This study provides a proof-of-concept of de novo mining of autoantibodies and corresponding autoantigen candidates in a disease-specific context in human, thus facilitating future reverse-translational research for the discovery of novel biomarkers and the development of antigen-specific immunotherapy against various autoantibody-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Ogishi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoji Moriya
- Department of Infectious Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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El-Fishawy H, Saadi G, Hassaballa M, Hussein M, Doss W, Ragab G, Barsoum R. Antiviral treatment prioritization in HCV-infected patients with extrahepatic manifestations - An Egyptian perspective. J Adv Res 2016; 7:391-402. [PMID: 27222744 PMCID: PMC4856830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Egypt, the single country with highest incidence of HCV infection in the world, has embarked on a government-sponsored mass treatment program using several combinations of DAAs. Recognizing the importance of extrahepatic manifestations, independently of the hepatic, a subcommittee was assigned to develop national guidelines for respective prioritizing indications and protocols. It evaluated the benefit of treating patients with different extrahepatic manifestations, and reviewed relevant clinical trials and guidelines concerning DAA combinations available in Egypt. The latter included Sofosbuvir plus either peg-interferon, Simeprevir, Ledipasvir or daclatasvir, and the Viekera family comprising paritaprevir/ritonavir + ombitasvir with (GT-1) or without (GT-4) Dasabuvir. Any of these protocols may be used with or without Ribavirin according to indication. A blueprint was subjected to peer debate in dedicated workshops in two national meetings and subsequently to an online professional review, eventually leading to a final report that was adopted by the health authorities. Seven compelling and 10 optional indications were identified for treating patients with predominantly extrahepatic manifestations. The former include kidney disease at different stages, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Selected treatment protocols, were encoded and their use was prioritized on the basis of evidence of efficacy and safety. We concluded that any of the studied protocols may be used, preferably with ribavirin, for 12-week treatment in all patients with extrahepatic manifestations without cirrhosis and with eGFR above 30 ml/min/1.73 sqm. Ribavirin should be included in protocols for treating patients with compensated cirrhosis. Daclatasvir-based protocols are recommended for decompensated cirrhosis, while the Viekera family is recommended in patients with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 sqm, including those on dialysis. In kidney-transplanted patents, caution is due to avoidance of the pharmacokinetic interaction with the Cytochrome-P450 enzyme system, in-between immunosuppressive agents and most DAAs, particularly the Viekera family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gamal Saadi
- Kasr-El-Aini Nephrology and Dialysis Center, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - May Hassaballa
- Kasr-El-Aini Nephrology and Dialysis Center, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hussein
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Wahid Doss
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Gaafar Ragab
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Rashad Barsoum
- Kasr-El-Aini Nephrology and Dialysis Center, Cairo University, Egypt
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Zaidan M, Plasse F, Rabant M, Javaugue V, Knebelmann B, Alyanakian MA, Joly D, Nochy D, Bridoux F. [Renal involvement during type 1 cryoglobulinemia]. Nephrol Ther 2016; 12 Suppl 1:S71-81. [PMID: 26972092 DOI: 10.1016/j.nephro.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryoglobulins are circulating immunoglobulins that precipitate with cold temperature and dissolve with rewarming. Type 1 cryoglobulinemia is composed of a single monoclonal immunoglobulin and is associated with renal involvement in up to 40% of cases. Type 1 cryoglobulinemia is related to an underlying B-cell haematological malignancy in 60% of patients. In the remaining cases, in the absence of criteria for malignancy, the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance should be established. The clinical and biological setting and histological features of type 1 cryoglobulinemia are globally similar to those of mixed cryoglobulinemia. In case of haematological malignancy, the treatment is guided by the nature of the underlying disease, and aims at inducing haematological remission, which is necessary for the renal response. The management of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance has been clarified by an international consensus group and is based on the nature of the underlying clone. In case of monoclonal cryoglobulinemia associated with a plasma-cell clone (IgG or IgA), the treatment is based on the combination of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. In case of IgM monoclonal cryoglobulinemia, the treatment is similar to that of Waldenström macroglobulinemia, and is based on rituximab. The clinical course of renal monoclonal cryoglobulinemia is intimately associated with the haematological response, and is usually favourable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Zaidan
- Service de néphrologie-transplantation adultes, hôpital Necker, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Florent Plasse
- Service de néphrologie, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France; Centre national de référence amylose AL et autres maladies à dépôts d'immunoglobulines monoclonales, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Marion Rabant
- Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France; Service d'anatomie pathologique, hôpital Necker, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Javaugue
- Service de néphrologie, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France; Centre national de référence amylose AL et autres maladies à dépôts d'immunoglobulines monoclonales, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Bertrand Knebelmann
- Service de néphrologie-transplantation adultes, hôpital Necker, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Alexandra Alyanakian
- Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France; Service d'immunologie biologique, hôpital Necker, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Joly
- Service de néphrologie-transplantation adultes, hôpital Necker, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Nochy
- Université Paris Descartes, 12, rue de l'École-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France; Service d'anatomie pathologique, hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, AP-HP, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Frank Bridoux
- Service de néphrologie, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France; Centre national de référence amylose AL et autres maladies à dépôts d'immunoglobulines monoclonales, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
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Ward PA, Fattahi F, Bosmann M. New Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Complex-Induced Injury in Lung. Front Immunol 2016; 7:86. [PMID: 27014266 PMCID: PMC4783387 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While the phlogistic activities of IgM or IgG immune complexes (ICs) have been well established as complement-activating agents and seem likely to play important roles in humans with vasculitis, certain types of glomerulonephritis as well as in a variety of autoimmune diseases, the predominant clinical strategies have involved the use of immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory drugs. Over the past decade, new insights into molecular events developing during IC models in rodents have identified new phlogistic products that may be candidates for therapeutic blockade. Extracellular histones, located in the web-like structures of neutrophil extracellular traps, are released from complement-activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) downstream of IC deposition. Extracellular histones appear to be a new class of highly tissue-damaging products derived from complement-activated PMNs. Histones have also been discovered in cell-free broncho-alveolar lavage fluids from humans with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recent studies emphasize that in the setting of ARDS-like reactions in rodents, extracellular histones are released and are exceedingly proinflammatory, tissue damaging, and prothrombotic. Such studies suggest that in humans with ARDS, extracellular histones may represent therapeutic targets for blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Ward
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, MI , USA
| | - Fatemeh Fattahi
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, MI , USA
| | - Markus Bosmann
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center , Mainz , Germany
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The expanding spectrum of HCV-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis: a narrative review. Clin Exp Med 2016; 16:233-42. [PMID: 26935415 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-016-0410-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) is a small-to-medium-vessel vasculitis that appears in 10-15 % of patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The classic symptom triad of CV, purpura/asthenia/arthralgia, is accompanied by clinical features that include glomerulonephritis, neuropathy, interstitial pneumonitis, and cardiomyopathy, ranging in their severity from mild to life threatening. The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma is also higher. The cumulative 10-year survival rate of CV patients is significantly lower than in the age- and sex-matched general population, with death typically caused by nephropathy, malignancies, liver involvement, and severe infections. Unfailing serological stigmata include both a cryoglobulin IgM fraction with rheumatoid factor activity and decreased complement C4 levels. On peripheral B cells, the expression of the CD81 B cell receptor is reduced while that of the CD19 receptor is increased. A monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis develops in almost one-third of patients. HCV-related proteins (but not HCV-RNA genomic sequences) can be detected on biopsy samples by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry and involve the vessel lumen, vessel walls, and the perivascular spaces of the skin, kidney, and peripheral nerves, supporting the pathogenetic role of HCV in the onset of a widespread microvasculitis. Based on the demonstration of HCV infection in the large majority of CV patients, a therapeutic regimen consisting of once-weekly pegylated interferon-α and the daily administration of ribavirin results in a sustained virologic response in ~50 % of patients. In those with refractory and relapsing disease, addition of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has significantly increased the overall response rates. The extension to CV of latest-generation direct-acting antivirals, strikingly successful in non-CV HCV-positive patients, has yielded high complete response rates according to the few studies published thus far.
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48
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Russi S, Dammacco F, Sansonno S, Pavone F, Sansonno D. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase in B cells of hepatits C virus-related cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2015. [PMID: 26219420 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin variable region heavy chain (IgVH ) somatic gene diversification is instrumental in the transformation process that characterizes hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related B cell lymphoproliferative disorders. However, the extent to which activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), an enzyme essential for IgV gene somatic hypermutation (SHM), is active in cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CV) remains unclear. AID mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of 102 chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients (58 with and 44 without CV) and 26 healthy subjects was investigated using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The features of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) protein and mRNA transcripts were explored in liver tissue biopsies and portal tracts isolated using laser capture microdissection. In chronically HCV-infected patients, AID mRNA expression was almost threefold higher in those with than in those without CV and sevenfold higher than in healthy subjects (median-fold: 6.68 versus 2.54, P = 0.03 and versus 0.95, P = 0.0003). AID transcript levels were significantly higher in polyclonal than in clonally restricted B cell preparations in either CV or non-CV patients (median-fold, 15.0 versus 2.70, P = 0.009 and 3.46 versus 1.58, P = 0.02, respectively). AID gene expression was found to be related negatively to age and virological parameters. AID protein was found in portal tracts containing inflammatory cells that, in several instances, expressed AID mRNA transcripts. Our data indicate that the aberrant expression of AID may reflect continuous B cell activation and sustained survival signals in HCV-related CV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Russi
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - F Dammacco
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - S Sansonno
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy
| | - F Pavone
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - D Sansonno
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Jia YH, Fan ZJ, Guo H, Zhou SF, Liu SY. Correlations between HCV RNA load and titers of anti-HCV antibody and anti-nuclear antibody in chronic hepatitis C patients. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2015; 23:3766-3770. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v23.i23.3766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the correlations between hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA load and the titers of anti-HCV antibody and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), and the change in ANA titers before and after interferon treatment, to provide guidance for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC).
METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 112 patients with CHC from January 2013 to February 2014 at Tianjin Third Central Hospital. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was performed to detect HCV RNA, ELISA was used for the detection of anti-HCV antibody, and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) was performed for the detection of ANA. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlations between Log HCV RNA and the titers of anti-HCV antibody and ANA. Independent samples t-test and K independent samples test analysis were used to analyse the correlation between Log HCV RNA and the titer of ANA. Rank sum test was used to compare ANA titers before and after treatment with interferon for one month.
RESULTS: There was no correlation between HCV RNA load and the titer of anti-HCV antibody (r = 0.078, P = 0.465). There was a correlation between HCV RNA load and ANA titer (r = 0.744, P = 0.001). There was a significant difference in HCV RNA between the ANA(+)/(-) groups (P = 0.001). HCV RNA varied among different titers of ANA (χ2 = 32.58, P = 0.001). The change in ANA titers before and after interferon treatment was statistically significant (Z = 2.60, P = 0.001). Most CHC patients had a low titer of ANA. With the increase in viral load, the number of patients with a high titer of ANA had an increasing trend.
CONCLUSION: HCV RNA can be used to evaluate the antiviral effect. There is a certain degree of autoimmune phenomenon in patients with CHC. Interferon can enhance autoimmunity in the course of therapy.
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Damoiseaux J, Cohen Tervaert JW. Diagnostics and treatment of cryoglobulinaemia: it takes two to tango. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2015; 47:299-310. [PMID: 24068540 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-013-8390-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate in the cold. They come in different flavours and, as such, are differentially associated with lymphoproliferative diseases (type I), or systemic autoimmune diseases, and/or infectious diseases (type II/III). The clinical manifestations of cryoglobulinaemia result from either hyper-viscosity or small vessel vasculitis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a well-known factor in the aetiology of cryoglobulinaemia, but substantial geographical differences exist in the association between cryoglobulins and HCV. In the absence of any underlying disease, cryoglobulinaemia is referred to as 'idiopathic' or 'essential'. Detection of cryoglobulins in the laboratory is hampered by several pitfalls, in particular in the pre-analytical stage as well as in the quantification. In addition, our personal experience reveals that the detection of rheumatoid factor, most often present in high concentrations in patients with mixed cryoglobulinaemia, relies on the choice of the test system. Hence, interpretation of the laboratory results in relation to the clinical manifestations requires a partnership between the clinician and the laboratory specialist in order to make a correct diagnosis. Treatment options are primarily directed by identification of underlying diseases, i.e. infections or systemic autoimmune diseases. Idiopathic cryoglobulinaemia is treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppression, or B cell depleting anti-CD20 biologicals. In this overview, the recent literature on current laboratory and clinical practice of cryoglobulinaemia is discussed from a personal perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Damoiseaux
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands,
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