Functional classes of bronchial mucosa genes that are differentially expressed in asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma pathogenesis and susceptibility involves a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Their interaction modulates the airway inflammation and remodelling processes that are present even in mild asthma and governs the appearance and severity of symptoms of airway hyperresponsiveness. While asthma is felt to develop as the result of interaction among many different genes and signalling pathways, only a few genes have been linked to an increased risk of developing this condition.

RESULTS

We report the results of expression microarray studies using tissue obtained from bronchial biopsies of healthy controls and of subjects with allergic asthma, both before and following inhaled corticotherapy. We identified 79 genes that show significant differences in expression (following Bonferroni cutoff using p < 6.6 x 10(-6) to correct for multiple testing) in asthmatics compared to controls at significance levels. These included 21 genes previously implicated in asthma, such as NOS2A and GPX3, as well as new potential candidates, such as ALOX15, CTSC and CX3CR1. The expression levels of one third of these transcripts were partially or completely corrected following inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that bronchial biopsies obtained from healthy and asthmatic subjects display distinct expression profiles. These differences provide a global view of physiopathologic processes active in the asthmatic lung and may provide invaluable help to clarify the natural history of asthma.

Treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression: cepo review and clinical recommendations

BACKGROUND

Metastatic spinal cord compression (mscc) is an oncologic emergency that, unless diagnosed early and treated appropriately, can lead to permanent neurologic impairment. After an analysis of relevant studies evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment modalities, the Comité de l'évolution des pratiques en oncologie (cepo) made recommendations on mscc management.

METHOD

A review of the scientific literature published up to February 2011 considered only phase ii and iii trials that included assessment of neurologic function. A total of 26 studies were identified.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Considering the evidence available to date, cepo recommends that cancer patients with mscc be treated by a specialized multidisciplinary team.dexamethasone 16 mg daily be administered to symptomatic patients as soon as mscc is diagnosed or suspected.high-loading-dose corticosteroids be avoided.histopathologic diagnosis and scores from scales evaluating prognosis and spinal instability be considered before treatment.corticosteroids and chemotherapy with radiotherapy be offered to patients with spinal cord compression caused by myeloma, lymphoma, or germ cell tumour without sign of spinal instability or compression by bone fragment.short-course radiotherapy be administered to patients with spinal cord compression and short life expectancy.long-course radiotherapy be administered to patients with inoperable spinal cord compression and good life expectancy.decompressive surgery followed by long-course radiotherapy be offered to appropriate symptomatic mscc patients (including spinal instability, displacement of vertebral fragment); andpatients considered for surgery have a life expectancy of at least 3-6 months.

Diabetes mellitus and corticotherapy as risk factors for alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a study in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of diabetes and corticotherapy on the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with sodium alendronate.

METHODS

Rats were allocated into 4 groups of 11 animals each, representing different treatments: (1) alendronate; (2) alendronate and corticotherapy; (3) alendronate and diabetes; and (4) control. Tooth extractions were performed in all animals, and histological analysis was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 and anti-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 antibodies.

RESULTS

On hematoxylin and eosin analysis, proportions of inflammatory infiltrate, microbial colonies, and osteonecrosis were significantly greater in the diabetes group. BMP-4 expression in connective tissue was higher in the corticosteroid group than the alendronate group. There were no significant differences between the other groups. MMP-13 expression did not differ between the groups analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes but not corticotherapy is associated with jaw osteonecrosis in rats undergoing alendronate therapy and subjected to tooth extractions.

Pemphigus vulgaris - approach and management

The place of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) among autoimmune bullous dermatoses is well known. In pemphigus, IgG autoantibodies are directed against desmogleins 1 and 3, which are part of the cadherin family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. These structures are responsible for maintaining the intercellular adherence in stratified squamous epithelia, such as the skin and oral mucosa. The incidence of autoimmune bullous dermatoses is steadily increasing, being associated with a high degree of morbidity. The pathophysiology of these dermatoses is very well understood, complemented by recent genetic studies. The gold standard for the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris is the detection of autoantibodies or complement component 3 by direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a perilesional biopsy. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are necessary in order to achieve a favorable prognosis. Although the first line of treatment is corticotherapy, there are no clear guidelines on dosing regimens, and long-term adverse effects are important. Corticosteroid-sparing adjuvant therapies have been employed in the treatment of PV, aiming to reduce the necessary cumulative dose of corticosteroids. In addition, therapies with anti-CD20 antibodies are used, but antigen-specific immune suppression-based treatments represent the future.

Successful treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss by means of pharmacotherapy combined with early hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Case report

RATIONALE

According to the World Health Organization reports, adult-onset hearing loss is the 15th leading cause of burden of disease, and is projected to move up to 7th by the year 2030, especially in high-income countries. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered by otologists as a true otologic emergency. The current standard treatment for sudden hearing loss is a tapered course of oral high-dose corticosteroids. The described clinical case points to the validity of undertaking early hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) therapy together with corticosteroids for full recovery of adult onset idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 44-year-old woman complained of an abrupt hearing deterioration in the left ear with the sensation of aural fullness and loud tinnitus presented for 48 hours. The patient was admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology of Public Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with unilateral sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss, assessed by measuring the tonal audiograms.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received treatment including oral high-dose corticosteroids combined with HBO protocol including 15 daily 1-hour exposures to 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmosphere absolute.

OUTCOMES

A pharmacotherapy combined with early HBO resulted in full recovery of hearing.

LESSONS

Early implementation of HBO to the pharmacotherapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss may lead to full recovery of hearing. There is a need for systematic research to establish guidelines for optimal number of HBO sessions in relation to the timeframe from hearing loss symptoms onset to implementation of HBO therapy.

Primary, secondary or less frequent causes of immune thrombocytopenia: A case report

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by isolated low platelet count and it is a diagnosis of exclusion, contrasting to secondary ITP. Therefore, a positive diagnosis is difficult and requires extensive investigation. Some of the underlying conditions that are associated with ITP are lymphoproliferative disorders and infections, especially viral ones. In the present study, the case of a patient diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, who received chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is presented. After a complete remission of four years, the patient presented with sudden intense hemorrhagic syndrome and severely decreased platelet count. The most frequent causes of secondary ITP were excluded, including lymphoma relapse, and intravenous corticosteroids were started. However, shortly after hospital admission, the patient developed neuro-psychiatric anomalies, fever and pancytopenia, and West-Nile encephalitis was diagnosed. Although the initial development was favorable, he started to complain of progressive severe muscle weakness and eventually succumbed to infectious complications in the setting of prolonged hospitalization, corticotherapy, and immobilization.

INSULIN AUTOIMMUNE SYNDROME IN A YOUNG CAUCASIAN WOMAN

A young Caucasian woman presents several episodes of severe fasting hypoglycemia. Fasting lab tests revealed: glycemia 28 mg/dL, insulinemia 143.3 µU/mL, insulin antibodies above 100 U/mL, leading to the diagnosis of insulin autoimmune syndrome. Due to lack of clinical improvement after 2 months, prednisone was started at 0.5 mg/kg/day, and then tapered by 5 mg every 5 days. Three weeks after discontinuing corticotherapy, the patient had no more severe fasting hypoglycemia, but occasionally postprandial mild hypoglycemia. Fasting lab tests showed: glycemia 83 mg/dL, insulinemia 58.6 µU/mL. At 5 hours during oral glucose tolerance test glycemia was 33 mg/dL, insulinemia 152.9 µU/mL.

Immune thrombocytopenia, severe hematological consequence in a patient with COVID-19: A case report

Since the first appearance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), multiple studies have focused on this novel coronavirus. Within a few months, the clinical and paraclinical manifestations and the mechanisms by which these changes are induced were elaborated. Clinically, the virus mainly causes the common cold, but can also result in severe or fatal pneumonia/acute respiratory syndrome. Regarding the biological changes, similar to any other virus, it can lead to a reduced lymphocyte count. The second most common change is represented by a reduced thrombocyte count. Furthermore, most patients have blood clotting abnormalities, inflammatory syndrome, raised D-dimer and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Detection of immune thrombocytopenia in asymptomatic patients who tested positive for COVID-19 justifies the need to perform differential diagnosis and testing for COVID-19. Typically, patients with severe forms of COVID-19 develop mild thrombocytopenia, while severe thrombocytopenia is rarely reported. The aim of this case report was to present the situation in which one asymptomatic patient who tested positive for COVID-19 developed severe immune thrombocytopenia.

[Pregnancy and kidney transplantation: report of 10 cases]

La grossesse chez les patientes transplantées rénales est à risque de complications maternelles mais surtout fœtales. Le risque de survenue de rejet aigue ou chronique inhérent à la grossesse est faible. L'objectif de notre étude était de rapporter les grossesses survenues chez nos transplantées rénales, leurs aspects évolutifs et une revue de la littérature. L’âge moyen des patientes au moment de la transplantation rénale était de 28,5 ans. Le traitement immunosuppresseur d'entretien a associé une corticothérapie, l'azathioprine et/ou la ciclosporine A. Le délai moyen entre la transplantation rénale et la découverte de la grossesse était de 6,5 ans. L’âge moyen au moment de la conception était de 33,8 ans. Il n'ya pas eu de modifications du traitement immunosuppresseur au cours de la grossesse. La créatininémie moyenne au cours de la grossesse était stable à 104,8 µmol/l avec une créatininémie supérieure à 150 µmol/l dans 2 cas. Les complications maternelles au cours de la grossesse étaient une hypertension artérielle gravidique dans 3 cas, une protéinurie dans 3 cas, une ascension de la créatininémie au 7ème mois dans 2 cas, une cholestase hépatique gravidique dans 2 cas et une hyperuricémie dans 4 cas. Une prématurité était observée dans 3 cas en rapport avec une rupture prématurée des membranes, des contractions utérines sur utérus cicatriciel et des signes de prééclampsie dans le troisième cas. Après l'accouchement, Une hypertension artérielle était observée chez 3 patientes. On n'a pas noté de rejet aigu chez nos patientes. La créatininémie moyenne était de 195,3 µmol/l (74- 553 µmol/l). Le développement statural et psychomoteur était normal pour 9 enfants. La bonne évolution des grossesses chez les patientes transplantées rénales une planification et un suivi régulier.

[Spinal cord compression due to metastases]

La compression médullaire d'origine métastatique est une complication neurologique fréquente du cancer. C'est une urgence diagnostique et thérapeutique qui nécessite une prise en charge rapide et efficace. L'imagerie par résonnance magnétique (IRM) constitue l'examen de choix pour l'exploration de l'ensemble de la moelle. La prise en charge thérapeutique doit être multidisciplinaire incluant la corticothérapie, la radiothérapie et la chirurgie.

[Strokes and Giant cell arteritis: imaging characteristics]

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is associated with an increased risk of cardio- or cerebro-vascular death. The stroke rate in patients with GCA varies between 2.7 and 7.4%. The etiological diagnosis may be challenging between atherosclerotic stroke and stroke related to GCA. Case of an old woman who had ischemic stroke and concomitant diagnosis of GCA and brain imaging characteristics.

A rare case of ocular myositis

We report the case of a 43 year old man who presented recurrent left abducens palsy. His medical history included arterial hypertension, ischemic cardiomiopathy, dyslipidemia, rhinitis, maxillary sinusitis. Physical examination revealed a overweight patient, horizontal gaze diplopia, left nerve VI paresis, mild left retro-orbital pain. The orbital MRI also didn’t offer new information: mild external edema on the left eye, with normal tendon aspect, no thickening or enhancement of the muscle belly and also normal aspect of the bony orbit. Recurrent palsy of EOMs can be caused in rare cases by ocular myositis.

[Severe macrophage activation syndrome following visceral leishmaniasis in a child]

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease that is a public health problem in Morocco and is one of the frequent infectious causes of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The combination of clinical and laboratory criteria, even very unspecific, make it possible to diagnose MAS, but a definitive diagnosis requires cytological examination. Rapid treatment is essential. The outcome was favorable.

What is the materno-fetal prognosis of adrenal insufficiency and pregnancy in low-resource setting? a case report

Introduction and importance

Adrenal insufficiency is a rare chronic disease with a prevalence of 39 to 60 cases per million peoples in Europe. However, the prevalence is higher in sub-saharian Africa. The occurrence of pregnancy in adrenal insufficiency is rare but associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. For this reason, the management of pregnancy in adrenal insufficiency patient must be provided by a multidisciplinary team.

Case presentation

The authors report the case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman followed for adrenal insufficiency secondary to prolonged corticosteroid therapy. Treatment consisted to an obstetrical and endocrinological follow-up and corticosteroid replacement therapy with hydrocortisone. A prophylactic cesarean section at 38 weeks resulted in the birth of a newborn male weighing 3395 g. Maternal and perinatal prognosis was good.

Clinical discussion

Pregnancy in adrenal insufficiency is a therepeutic challenge in developing countries. Through this case, the authors discuss the therapeutic and prognostic aspects of adrenal insufficiency in our setting.

Conclusion

With the introduction of gluco-corticosteroid replacement therapy, pregnancy in adrenal insufficiency can progress normally.

A new therapeutic protocol for the treatment of keloid scars: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

There are few means to treat large keloid scars, as exeresis-even if partial-impedes direct closure without tension in the absence of a flap or a skin graft. This study evaluates the efficacy, indications for use and limitations of a new therapeutic protocol, combining an extralesional keloid excision left to heal by secondary intention with a paraffin dressing and glucocorticoid ointment, followed by monthly intrascar injections of corticosteroids upon full re-epithelialisation.

METHOD

A retrospective study of patients treated for keloid scars by using the new therapeutic protocol. Scars were categorised as either healed or recurring. Their recurrence was scored according to the changes in functional signs and the scar volume.

RESULTS

A total of 36 scars were studied. The mean follow-up was 14.1 months. Healing occurred in a mean of 6.8 weeks. The mean surface area was 21.6cm². Healing rate was 30.5%. Scar volume was improved in 60% of recurrent cases and functional signs in 56%. Based on adherence with the corticotherapy, two patient groups could be discerned. For patients in the 'adherent' group, the healing rate was 40%, and scar volume was improved in 75% of recurrent cases and the functional signs in 83% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The healing rate in this study was close to that reported in the literature. Excision-healing by secondary intention could therefore be offered to patients for whom adherence is uncertain. The protocol in this study offers a straightforward, fast, accessible solution that does not appear to entail any risk of additional keloids. It could potentially offer a treatment option in case of failure of other treatments, large keloid scars or scalp keloids.

Spectacular Improvement of Paradoxical Reaction in Tuberculosis after Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Antagonist Therapy

We report the case of a 42-year-old immunocompetent Indian patient presenting with miliary tuberculosis complicated by respiratory failure requiring intubation. Conventional quadritherapy was initiated for wild-type Mycobacterium tuberculosis. On day 29 of antibiotic treatment, persistent fever and neurological deterioration prompted the diagnosis of multiple brain and medullary tuberculomas, some surrounded by edema. Laboratory investigations ruled out meningitis and subtherapeutic drug concentrations. To enhance cerebrospinal fluid penetration, ethambutol was replaced with levofloxacin on day 30, and rifampicin doses were increased to 30 mg/kg. Dexamethasone was introduced on day 30 to address the paradoxical response to antituberculosis therapy, but neurological deterioration persisted, leading to hemiparesis and coma, with concurrent development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. As salvage therapy, an anti-tumor necrosis factor agent, infliximab (IFX), was administered on day 40. Rapid clinical improvement was observed, marked by awakening and subsequent weaning from respiratory ventilation just eight days after the first IFX infusion. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit 10 days post-IFX initiation, with steroids discontinued one month after IFX introduction. Both antituberculosis treatment and IFX infusions (seven in total) were maintained for one year. Clinical and radiological evaluation at one year demonstrated complete clinical and radiological recovery.

Corticosteroid Therapy in Severe Cases of Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2

We present a case of severe pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a 63-year-old woman needing venous oxygenation by an extracorporeal membrane. Given the difficult clinical resolution with persistent inflammatory parameters, treatment with corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) was prescribed. The clinical evolution observed, namely the improvement of respiratory and imaging parameters, reiterates the recommendations of corticosteroids for moderate to severe disease.

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: The Complexity of Clinical Manifestations, Therapeutic Challenges, and Complications of a Severe Multisystemic Case

We report a case of a 34-year-old male with severe multisystemic involvement (including the testis, musculoskeletal system, skin, upper respiratory tract, ocular system, peripheral nerves, abdomen, and kidney) due to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and a high proteinase 3 (PR3)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PR3ANCA) titer. A renal biopsy showed pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (GN). Systemic corticotherapy combined with cyclophosphamide was chosen for induction therapy. During the induction phase, clinical deterioration occurred in the form of severe alveolar hemorrhage, leading to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Influenza A (H1N1) was detected in the respiratory tract. Furthermore, blood sampling revealed an invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae infection that persisted despite multiple antibiotic regimens. A CT scan showed splenic vascular compromise, assumed to be the primary source of the infection, with sustained improvement after splenectomy. Maintenance therapy included a tapering dose of corticotherapy for 36 months and azathioprine 100mg daily for five years, which achieved full and sustained remission. The patient has been in full remission for nine years, with mild renal sequelae, including proteinuria and secondary hypertension.

[Horton disease in the elderly patient]

Horton disease is difficult to diagnose in the elderly, due to the non-specificity of clinical signs. When evoked in the case of recent headaches, laboratory tests must be carried out to look for signs of inflammation.

[Pulmonary tuberculosis revealed by thrombocytopenic purpura in children - about a clinical case observed in the pediatric ward of the University Hospital of Lubumbashi]

Nous rapportons le cas d'un enfant de 7 ans, de sexe masculin ayant présenté un purpura thrombopénique avec épistaxis, hématémèse, otorragies et pétéchies généralisées. Durant la même hospitalisation, nous avons mis en évidence une tuberculose pulmonaire documentée par la présence de bacilles acido-alcoolo résistants à l'examen des crachats. Nous avons observé une majoration du taux de plaquettes en une semaine de corticothérapie intraveineuse à haute dose, avant l'instauration d'une poly chimiothérapie antituberculeuse. Nous rappelons également la controverse que suscite la prise en charge de cette association rarement rapportée.

Sarcoidosis as an Uncommon Cause of Chest Pain: A Case Report

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Despite primarily affecting the lung, sarcoidosis can affect any organ, resulting in various clinical manifestations. We present a case of a 56-year-old man who developed thoracic pain over several months along with skin lesions. The chest CT revealed multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies. The patient underwent an endobronchial ultrasound, and a lymph node biopsy was performed. The histological results showed lymphoid cells and small epithelioid granulomas, while bronchoalveolar lavage revealed lymphocytosis, with a significantly elevated CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Based on the results, a diagnosis of sarcoidosis was presumed. The study was concluded with cardiac MRI due to complaints of chest pain, which also confirmed cardiac involvement. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids, exhibiting significant improvements and recovering completely during the follow-up period. Despite cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis being rare, we present this case to emphasize the challenges in diagnosis, requiring high clinical suspicion and the use of complementary imaging methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance. We also emphasize the importance of early initiation of corticosteroid therapy to prevent major complications and promote recovery.

[A rare case of Horton's disease without inflammatory syndrome in the Department of Neurology of the Teaching Hospital of Point G, Bamako, Mali]

Horton's disease is the most common inflammatory disease of the vessels after the age of 50 years. We report here the caseof a 64-year-old male, who presented a chronic frontal headache resistant to usual analgesics. Physical examination found pain on bitemporal pressure, a slight induration of temporal arteries and a bilateral decreased temporal pulse. Biological inflammatory testing was normal. However, Doppler ultrasound revealed bilateral intimal infiltration of the temporal artery, supporting the diagnosis of Horton's disease. Put on corticoids, headaches were completely resolved.

[Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis associated with erythema nodosum: a case report]

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IMD) is a chronic benign inflammatory disease of the breast which can mimic breast cancer. It is more common in young women of childbearing age and poses a challenge in diagnosis of inflammatory breast tumor. We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient who presented with inflammatory breast. Clinical examination showed apyretic patient with edematized and painless irregular smooth mass in the left breast measuring 4 cm surmounted by crusts and multiples fistulizing scars discharging pus by applying pressure, with mobile ipsilateral axillary adenopathy. The remainder of the physical examination showed inflammatory erythematous patches on both legs. A mammogram plus breast ultrasound was performed followed by biopsy that objectified fibrous mastopathy. Lumpectomy was performed due to the persistence of symptoms. Anatomopathological examination objectified granulomatous mastitis. Etiological research didn't identify a clear cause. Corticotherapy associated with antibiotic therapy was started with complete regression of symptoms after two months.

Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome With Cutaneous Manifestations: A Case Report

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is marked by eosinophilic infiltration and the release of inflammatory mediators that cause damage to multiple organs. Despite careful evaluation of hypereosinophilia, the etiology of most cases remains undefined. Eosinophils may cause damage in almost all organs, and most patients present with dermatological manifestations. We report a case of a 70-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, who is under treatment with rituximab and leflunomide. He presented with generalized erythematous and pruritic cutaneous lesions that became scaly and hypopigmented, some of which were ulcerative and infected. Peripheral blood hypereosinophilia was noted (>6.0x109 eosinophils/L). Primary and secondary causes of hypereosinophilia, including neoplasms and infections, were excluded, and idiopathic HES was assumed. The patient was started on oral prednisolone with complete resolution of the lesions.