Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Multiple Autoimmune Disease Presented with Extensive Peripheral Gangrene

Use of prostaglandin and cyclophosphamide for pediatric lupus with digital gangrene: Back to safety before hitting the axe!

Digital gangrene is a rare presenting feature of childhood lupus and only a reported incidence of 1.3%. We describe two cases of pediatric onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), both 16 years old, presenting with digital gangrene and the successful salvage of the digits after using intravenous cyclophosphamide for immunosuppression and use of intravenous prostaglandin E1 infusions for limb reperfusion. Both of the patients responded exceptionally to the infusions with resolution of gangrene and near-total preservation of the functionality of toes.

Bilateral Upper Limb Symmetrical Digital Gangrene: A Rare Presentation of Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease present most commonly in young women, characterized by the presence of antibodies against various phospholipids and culminating in alteration of the flow of blood, leading to arterial and venous thrombosis. Although it can present with a wide range of manifestations, digital gangrene is one of the important ones. We present a case of a young female with antiphospholipid syndrome who presented with acute onset bilateral upper limb symmetrical digital gangrene with prior history of multiple fetal losses. Acute onset, symmetrical gangrene, limited to the bilateral upper limbs without venous system involvement, that too in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which does not usually manifest as such make this case a unique and interesting one.

Curcumin, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: going beyond conventional therapy - a systematic review

Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases affect innumerous people and are considered a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and Curcuma sp can work as important therapies in the approach of these diseases. For this reason the aim of this review is to evaluate the effects of Curcuma or curcumin in five autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases for instance, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Osteoarthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Psoriasis, and Sclerosis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched and PRISMA guidelines were used to build this systematic review. Curcuma sp or curcumin have been gaining ground in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases due to the wide range of bioactive compounds capable of exerting substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The effects can be associated with improvement of symptoms and induction of remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients; reduction of erythema and induration of lesions in psoriasis; and slow down the disease progression in patients with sclerosis. Furthermore, curcumin shows effects equivalent to ibuprofen and diclofenac, without the adverse effects generally reported by patients. Curcuma or its derivatives can be used safely and efficiently as adjuvants or as a main therapy for these diseases that increase year by year in the world population.