Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Blocker-Induced Erythrodermic Sarcoidosis in with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Focus on Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Related Autoimmune Diseases

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents have been increasingly used to treat patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease and dermatological and rheumatologic inflammatory disorders. However, the widening use of biologics is related to a new class of adverse events called paradoxical reactions. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but it is suggested that cytokine remodulation in predisposed individuals can lead to the inflammatory process. Here, we dissect the clinical aspects and overall outcomes of autoimmune diseases caused by anti-TNF-α therapies.

First reported case of erythrodermic sarcoidosis with systemic involvement during vaccination for Covid-19

Post-vaccinal and parainfectious activation of the immunity with subsequent development of a certain immunological/skin-immunological disease isn’t rare in the clinical practice. This concept is mentioned in relation to molecular/antigenic mimicry. To this day, the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and sarcoid-type reactions remains a mystery. Moreover, they can be a warning sign of changes in tissue homeostasis, whether it is infectious, non-infectious-immunological, tumor-related, etc. We present a rare form of erythrodermic sarcoidosis with massive systemic involvement (pericarditis, supraventricular tachycardia, hepatitis, iritis/iridocyclitis, pulmonary fibrosis/bihilar lymphadenopathy, and arthritis) developed after receiving the ChadOx1-S vaccine for Covid-19. Systemic immunosuppressive therapy with Methylprednisolone was introduced according to a scheme (in a reduction mode with an initial dose of 40 mg/day intravenously) in combination with: topical Pimecrolimus 1% cream twice a day. Rapid improvement of the symptoms was observed within the first two days of treatment. According to the references in the scientific literature, the presented patient turns out to be the first case of erythrodermic sarcoidosis (with systemic involvement), described as a side effect after vaccination and/or administration of a certain medicinal form.

Instructive cartilage regeneration modalities with advanced therapeutic implantations under abnormal conditions

The development of interdisciplinary biomedical engineering brings significant breakthroughs to the field of cartilage regeneration. However, cartilage defects are considerably more complicated in clinical conditions, especially when injuries occur at specific sites (e.g., osteochondral tissue, growth plate, and weight-bearing area) or under inflammatory microenvironments (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis). Therapeutic implantations, including advanced scaffolds, developed growth factors, and various cells alone or in combination currently used to treat cartilage lesions, address cartilage regeneration under abnormal conditions. This review summarizes the strategies for cartilage regeneration at particular sites and pathological microenvironment regulation and discusses the challenges and opportunities for clinical transformation.

Adalimumab-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction involving oral cavity in rheumatoid arthritis: a case-based review

Drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction (DISR) is a condition almost indistinguishable from sarcoidosis, both clinically and microscopically, consisting of granulomatous tissue reaction associated with a specific therapy. Commonly affected sites are the lungs, hilar lymph nodes, and skin. This report aimed to describe a very uncommon case of DISR with an unique involvement of the oral cavity. A 63-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, who was treated with a TNF-α antagonist (adalimumab), presented multiple ulcerative nodules on the hard palate. Laboratory tests and imaging studies failed to show any other alterations. The biopsy specimen demonstrated multiple noncaseating granulomas. Histochemical reactions were negative for acid-fast bacilli and fungi, and immunohistochemical assessment highlighted the presence of normal lymphocytes and histiocytes. With the diagnosis of DISR, adalimumab was discontinued, and complete clinical resolution of the lesions was achieved after 14 months. Although uncommon, DISR should be considered in differential diagnoses of oral granulomatous reactions, especially in cases where the patient is being treated with TNF-α antagonists.

Systemic Sarcoidosis Associated with Certolizumab Pegol Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 69-year-old woman presented with appetite loss, fatigue, and a low-grade fever. She had been receiving certolizumab pegol for rheumatoid arthritis for six years. Computed tomography of the chest showed multiple micronodules in both lungs and bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. An ophthalmic examination showed the findings of uveitis. Lymphocytosis with an increased CD4/CD8 ratio was seen in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy specimens obtained from the right lung and a right hilar lymph node showed noncaseous epithelioid cell granulomas. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α-induced sarcoidosis was diagnosed, and she was successfully treated with cessation of certolizumab pegol and systemic corticosteroid therapy.

The incidence, comorbidity and mortality of sarcoidosis in Korea, 2008-2015: a nationwide population-based study

Background:

Few national level, population-based studies are present on the epidemiology of sarcoidosis and it is unclear whether these patients have higher mortality than the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the nationwide epidemiology, comorbidity and mortality in sarcoidosis in Korea.

Material and Methods:

For the period between 2008 to 2015, we used the national population-based database operated by Rare Intractable Disease registration program in which patients’ diagnosis are based on uniform criteria. All sarcoidosis patients were identified and followed-up using the National Health Insurance database to determine their incidence, comorbidity, mortality, causes of death and standardised mortality ratio (SMR).

Results:

During the study period, we identified 3,259 new sarcoidosis patients. The average annual incidence was 0.81 per 100,000. The annual mortality rate was 9.26 per 1,000 person-years. The mortality rate were significantly higher than those of the general population (SMR 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.62-2.25). The major comorbidities of sarcoidosis patients were the diseases of the respiratory system (17.64%), heart (5.43%), eyes (4.27%) and cancer (2.3%). Mortality was higher in patients with lung involvement. Of the 84 deaths identified in this study from 2008-2013, the most common cause of death was cancer (41.7%), followed by respiratory disease (13.1%), sarcoidosis (13.1%) and heart disease (8.3%).

Conclusions:

We reported a nationwide incidence of sarcoidosis as 0.81 per 100,000 in Korea. The mortality of sarcoidosis patients was higher compared to the general population and the major causes of death were cancer, respiratory disease and sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis patients with comorbid diseases showed increased mortality. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (1): 24-36)

A Case of Sporadic Blau Syndrome with an Uncommon Clinical Course

Background

Sporadic Blau syndrome (SBS), a rare systemic inflammatory disease in children, is associated with NOD2 gene mutations. SBS is often misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) because of their similar clinical manifestations. Herein, we present a case of SBS with an uncommon clinical course.

Case Presentation

An 11-year-old girl with recurrent right ankle swelling for 4 years was referred to our hospital. One month before admission, she developed an intermittent high fever. She was diagnosed with systemic-onset JIA on the basis of physical and blood examination results. She was treated with ibuprofen, prednisolone, and methotrexate for 5 years. During this period, her joint lesion showed neither bone destruction nor joint space narrowing on radiography, which are characteristics of JIA. Twelve months after the termination of methotrexate treatment, she presented with bilateral panuveitis. A missense mutation, p.(R587C), was detected in her NOD2 gene, and she was diagnosed with SBS. Then, infliximab treatment was started, and her visual acuity recovered.

Conclusion

SBS may sometimes be misdiagnosed as JIA. A joint lesion without bone destruction might be a key feature to distinguish SBS from JIA. Analysis of the NOD2 gene is recommended in such cases.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cutaneous sarcoidosis occurs in up to 30% of patients with sarcoidosis and skin findings are often the initial presenting symptom. Cutaneous sarcoidosis is a rare skin disease and many aspects of the disease presentation and treatment are not well understood. This review will highlight developments in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis over the past several years.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiological studies from several different populations reaffirm that cutaneous sarcoidosis is more common in women and is often the presenting symptom of systemic sarcoidosis. Recently, more cases are being reported in association with oncologic immune modulators, which will be of great interest as use of those agents increases. Also, ultrasound has shown promise for the imaging of cutaneous granulomas for disease assessment and measuring response to treatment. Finally, the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis remains difficult and is based largely on retrospective data with a paucity of large, prospective trials. There have been recently introduced and validated cutaneous scoring tools which show promise and may lead to more high-quality studies going forward.

SUMMARY

The recent developments in cutaneous sarcoidosis have identified many new pharmacologic and physical triggers of disease, but the evidence for effective treatment is still lacking. Further research is necessary to improve the care of patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis.