Reference intervals for serum immunoglobulins G, M and E levels in Brazilian children aged 1 to 10 years: a population-based study

Abstract Objective: To determine the reference intervals (RI) for serum levels of IgG, IgM, and IgE in healthy children aged 1-10 years living in central Brazil. Method: A sample of 1743 healthy children was randomly selected from kindergartens and public schools. Reference intervals were defined by non-parametric rank (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, USA), bootstrapping, and Horn's robust methods. Results: By the rank method, the IgG RI was 792-1771 mg/dL for children of both sexes aged 1-10 years. IgM RI were different for gender and age groups, being 45-196 mg/dL and 34-190 mg/dL for boys aged 1-2 years and 3-10 years, respectively. For girls, the IgM RI were 50-212 mg/dL and 39-212 mg/dL, for ages 1-4 and 5-10 years, respectively. The IgE RI for both sexes and ages 1-10 years was 6-1005 mg/dL. The bootstrap method showed RI similar to the rank method but with slightly different confidence intervals. Horn's robust method determined RI different from those obtained by previous methods. Conclusion: RI for serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, and IgE were established for Brazilian children aged 1-10 years. This definition will be useful for Brazilian physicians, who will have more adequate parameters for their clinical decision-making.

Nefropatía por enfermedad relacionada a IGG4 / Nephropathy due to IGG4-related disease

IgG4-related disease (ER-IgG4) is a group of systemic fibro-inflammatory diseases, whose renal involvement is rare and difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis is usually made by serological and histological studies. Treatment is based on systemic corticosteroids. The renal prognosis is determined by the patient's comorbidities and the degree of fibrosis in the renal biopsy. We present the case of an elderly patient with exacerbated chronic kidney disease, whose study showed nephropathy associated with ER-IgG4.

La enfermedad relacionada a IgG4 (ER-IgG4) es un grupo de enfermedades fibro-inflamatorias sistémicas, cuya afectación renal es poco frecuente y de difícil diagnóstico. Habitualmente el diagnóstico se realiza mediante estudios serológicos e histológicos. El tratamiento se basa en corticoides sistémicos. El pronóstico renal está determinado por las comorbilidades del paciente y el grado de fibrosis en la biopsia renal. Se presenta el caso de un paciente adulto mayor con enfermedad renal crónica reagudizada, cuyo estudio demostró nefropatía asociada a ER-IgG4.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with decreased level of IgG / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with IgG decrease.Methods:Thirty-five newly diagnosed patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with decreased IgG (<7 g/L) admitted to the Department of Rheumatology of Tangdu Hospital of the Air Force Medical University of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army from January 2016 to March 2022 were included, and 38 hospitalized patients with SLE complicated with elevated or normal IgG during the same period were included as the control group. The clinical data were statistically analyzed. Independent sample t test and χ2 test were used. Results:In the SLE group combined with IgG, the incidence of edema was decreased (31.4% vs. 2.6%, χ2=11.00, P=0.001), and the white blood cell count was decreased [(5.8±0.9)×10 9/L vs. (4.2±0.3)×10 9/L, t=2.49, P=0.015], neutrophil [(4.10±0.48)×10 9/L vs. (2.65±0.25)×10 9/L, t=2.75, P=0.008], the ratio of neutrophil and lymphocyte (4.18±0.65 vs. 2.71±0.24, t=2.18, P=0.032), the ratio of neutrophil and serum albumin (0.186±0.025 vs. 0.071±0.068, t=4.58, P<0.001), the ratio of blood urea nitrogen and serum albumin (0.550 6±0.079 4 vs. 0.048 7±0.002 4, t=6.59, P<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate [(59±7)mm/1 h vs. (33±5)mm/1 h, t=3.06, P=0.003], total cholesterol [(5.95±0.40)mmol/L vs. (3.78±0.14)mmol/L, t=5.26, P<0.001], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [(2.93±0.24)mmol/L vs. (1.84±0.09)mmol/L, t=4.30, P<0.001], creatinine [(178.0±45.2)mmol/L vs. (46.8±1.8)mmol/L, t=3.02, P=0.004], urea nitrogen [(11.92±1.62)mmol/L vs. (4.54±0.25)mmol/L, t=4.67, P<0.001], uric acid [(436±31)mmol/L vs. (278±20)mmol/L, t=4.40, P<0.001], lactate dehydrogenase [(356±72)U/L vs. (208±12)U/L, t=2.11, P=0.038], and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase [(282±35)U/L vs. (175±11)U/L, t=3.05, P=0.003] were higher than that in normal or elevated IgG groups. Red blood cell [(3.35±0.17)×10 12/L vs. (3.96±0.11)×10 12/L, t=-3.03, P=0.003], hemoglobin [(95±4)g/L vs. (113±4)g/L, t=-3.32, P=0.001], serum albumin [(24.5±1.3)mg/L vs. (38.3±0.9)mg/L, t=-8.79, P<0.001], complement C3 [(0.58±0.04)g/L vs. (0.75±0.05)g/L, t=-2.53, P=0.014], the positive rate of anti-SSA antibody (45.7% vs. 73.7%, χ2=5.95, P=0.015), and the course of disease [(5.6±0.9)year vs. (7.7±0.8) year, t=-7.51, P<0.001] were lower than that of combined normal or elevated IgG groups. The ratio of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ( r=-0.47), blood urea nitrogen ( r=-0.36) and uric acid ( r=-0.56) were negatively correlated with complement C3 in patients with IgG reduction group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Most patients with SLE combined with IgG reduction had edema as the first clinical symptom. Kidney involvement,white blood cell count, neutrophil, the ratio of neutrophil to lymphocyte, the ratio of neutrophil to serum albumin, the ratio of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, urea nitrogen, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase were increased, but red blood cell, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and complement C3 were decreased.Edema was the first clinical presentation, and these patients tend to have more rapidly progression of the disease, and their disease were more severe.

The decline of measles antibody titers in previously vaccinated adults: a cross-sectional analysis

ABSTRACT The global reemergence of measles in 2018-2019 reinforces the relevance of high-coverage immunization to maintain the disease elimination. During an outbreak in the Sao Paulo State in 2019, several measles cases were reported in individuals who were adequately vaccinated according to the current immunization schedule recommends. This study aimed to assess measles IgG antibody seropositivity and titers in previously vaccinated adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted at CRIE-HC-FMUSP (Sao Paulo, Brazil) in 2019. It included healthy adults who had received two or more Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccines (MMR) and excluded individuals with immunocompromising conditions. Measles IgG antibodies were measured and compared by ELISA (Euroimmun®) and chemiluminescence (LIASON®). The association of seropositivity and titers with variables of interest (age, sex, profession, previous measles, number of measles-containing vaccine doses, interval between MMR doses, and time elapsed since the last MMR dose) was analyzed. A total of 162 participants were evaluated, predominantly young (median age 30 years), women (69.8%) and healthcare professionals (61.7%). The median interval between MMR doses was 13.2 years, and the median time since the last dose was 10.4 years. The seropositivity rate was 32.7% by ELISA and 75.3% by CLIA, and a strong positive correlation was found between the tests. Multivariate analyses revealed that age and time since the last dose were independently associated with positivity. Despite being a single-center evaluation, our results suggest that measles seropositivity may be lower than expected in adequately immunized adults. Seropositivity was higher among older individuals and those with a shorter time since the last MMR vaccine dose.

Effects of ivermectin on cytokine and immunoglobulin levels in sheep / Efectos de la ivermectina en los niveles de citoquinas e inmunoglobulinas en ovejas / Efeitos da ivermectina nos níveis de citocinas e imunoglobulinas em ovinos

Abstract Background: Ivermectin may affect the levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins in sheep, considering that avermectins have an effect on the immune system. Objective: To determine whether ivermectin has an effect on cytokines and immunoglobulins in sheep. Methods: After administration of ivermectin to 10 healthy sheep, sheep-specific interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin E levels were measured with an ELISA reader. Results: Significant (p<0.05) fluctuations were detected in interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 levels. Transient increases (p<0.05) were measured in tumor necrosis factor-α and immunoglobulin E levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ivermectin may affect immune system parameters in healthy sheep; however, the effects of ivermectin administration on infected sheep should be investigated.

Resumen Antecedentes: La ivermectina puede alterar los niveles de citocinas e inmunoglobulinas en ovinos, dado que las avermectinas afectan el sistema inmunológico. Objetivo: Determinar si la ivermectina tiene algún efecto sobre las citocinas e inmunoglobulinas en ovinos. Métodos: Después de la administración de ivermectina a 10 ovejas sanas los niveles de interferón-α específico de oveja, factor de necrosis tumoral-α, interleucina-2, interleucina-6, interleucina-10, inmunoglobulina G, inmunoglobulina M, e inmunoglobulina E se midieron con un lector ELISA. Resultados: Se detectaron fluctuaciones significativas (p<0,05) en los niveles de interleucina-2 e interleucina-10. También se encontraron aumentos transitorios (p<0,05) en los niveles de factor de necrosis tumoral-α e inmunoglobulina E (p<0,05). Conclusión: la ivermectina puede afectar los parámetros del sistema inmunitario en ovejas sanas.

Resumo Antecedentes: A ivermectina pode alterar os níveis de citocinas e imunoglobulinas em ovinos, visto que as avermectinas afetam o sistema imunológico. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito da ivermectina nas citocinas e imunoglobulinas em ovinos. Métodos: Após a administração de ivermectina a 10 ovelhas saudáveis, interferon-α específico de ovelha, fator de necrose tumoral-α, interleucina-2, interleucina-6 e interleucina-10, os níveis de imunoglobulina G, imunoglobulina M e imunoglobulina E foram medidos com Leitor de ELISA. Resultados: Flutuações estatisticamente significativas (p<0,05) foram detectadas nos níveis de interkeukin-2 e interkeukin-10. Aumentos transitórios (p<0,05) foram medidos nos níveis de fator de necrose tumoral-α e imunoglobulina E (p<0,05). Conclusão: A ivermectina pode afetar parâmetros do sistema imunológico em ovinos saudáveis, entretanto, os efeitos da administração de ivermectina em ovinos infectados devem ser investigados.

Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease, A Diagnosis to Take into Account: About a Case

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated and multisystemic condition associated with developing fibroinflammatory lesions in any organ. The diagnosis is made based on the sum of clinical, serological, radiological, and histopathological criteria; however, this is often difficult due to its similarity to neoplasms, infections, or other immune-mediated diseases. Treatment is based on corticosteroids, in a possible combination with immunomodulators. The present case concerns a 59-year-old man with a history of jaundice syndrome and weight loss, admitted for suspected malignant neoplasia of the bile duct. Imaging revealed stricture with dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, prominent pancreas, pancreatic duct stricture, and nodular renal lesions. Due to the history of left submandibulectomy two years before the current disease and histology compatible with Küttner's tumor, plus the high IgG4 serum values, the diagnosis of IgG4-RD was established. He started treatment with corticosteroids and was asymptomatic during follow-up.

La enfermedad relacionada con inmunoglobulina G4 (ER-IgG4) es una condición inmunomediada y multisistémica asociada al desarrollo de lesiones fibroinflamatorias en cualquier órgano. El diagnóstico se realiza bajo la suma de criterios clínicos, serológicos, radiológicos e histopatológicos; sin embargo, este suele ser difícil debido a su similitud con neoplasias, infecciones u otras enfermedades inmunomediadas. El tratamiento se basa en corticosteroides, en una posible combinación con inmunomoduladores. El presente caso trata de un varón de 59 años con historia de síndrome ictérico y baja de peso, admitido por sospecha de neoplasia maligna de la vía biliar. Las imágenes revelaron estenosis con dilatación de las vías biliares intrahepáticas, páncreas prominente, estenosis del conducto pancreático y lesiones nodulares renales. Debido al antecedente de submandibulectomía izquierda 2 años antes de la enfermedad actual e histología compatible con tumor de Küttner, más los valores elevados de IgG4 sérico, se estableció el diagnóstico de ER-IgG4. Inició tratamiento con corticosteroides y cursó asintomático durante el seguimiento.

Assessment of humoral immune response to different COVID-19 vaccines in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis / Avaliação da resposta imune humoral a diferentes vacinas contra a COVID-19 em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise de manutenção

ABSTRACT Introduction: The immune response to different Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is under-investigated in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. We carried out this research to estimate the effectiveness of COVID-19 immunization in ESKD patients on regular hemodialysis (HD). Methods: In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 60 ESKD patients on regular HD who had completed COVID-19 vaccination and 30 vaccinated healthy participants. Serum levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunoglobulin G (SARS-COV2 IgG) were quantified 1 month after completing the vaccination schedule, and all participants were followed up from October 2021 to March 2022. The vaccines used in the study were from Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm. Results: The median level of SARS-COV2 IgG was lower in HD patients than in healthy participants (p < 0.001). Regarding the type of COVID-19 vaccination, there was no statistical difference in SARS-COV2 IgG levels among HD patients. During the observation period, none of the HD patients had COVID-19. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination appeared to be protective in HD patients for 6 months and the side effects of vaccines were tolerable.

RESUMO Introdução: A resposta imune a diferentes vacinas contra a doença do coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) é pouco investigada em pacientes com doença renal em estágio terminal (DRET), especialmente no Oriente Médio e norte da África. Realizamos esta pesquisa para estimar a eficácia da imunização contra a COVID-19 em pacientes com DRET em hemodiálise regular (HD). Métodos: Nesse estudo observacional prospectivo, inscrevemos 60 pacientes com DRET em HD regular que haviam concluído o esquema de vacinação contra a COVID-19 e 30 participantes saudáveis vacinados. Os níveis séricos de imunoglobulina G da síndrome respiratória aguda grave do coronavírus 2 (SARS-COV2 IgG) foram quantificados um mês após a conclusão do esquema vacinal, e todos os participantes foram acompanhados de outubro de 2021 a março de 2022. As vacinas utilizadas no estudo eram da Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca e Sinopharm. Resultados: O nível mediano de SARS-COV2 IgG foi menor em pacientes em HD do que em participantes saudáveis (p < 0,001). Com relação ao tipo de vacinação contra a COVID-19, não houve diferença estatística nos níveis de SARS-COV2 IgG entre pacientes em HD. Durante o período de observação, nenhum dos pacientes em HD teve COVID-19. Conclusão: A vacinação contra a COVID-19 pareceu ser eficaz na proteção de pacientes em HD por 6 meses e os efeitos colaterais das vacinas foram toleráveis.

A rare case of immune-related pseudotumor of ovary mimicking ovarian malignancy

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting various body organs. However, genital tract involvement is rarely reported. A 40 years old reproductive-age woman presented with a solid abdominopelvic mass of 20 weeks size. CECT revealed a large multiloculated solid cystic lesion arising from right adnexa with multiple enlarged lymph nodes and omental thickening with gross right-sided hydroureteronephrosis suggestive of ovarian malignancy stage III. Surprisingly, tumor markers were normal. Intraoperatively, we noticed a 15×15 cm right ovarian mass encasing the right ureter all around and constricting it. The mass was densely adherent to recto-sigmoid and right pelvic wall, which mandated extensive surgery. Histopathological examination with immuno-histo-chemistry (IHC) suggested the diagnosis of IgG4-RD of ovary. Awareness about its occurrence in ovary will help in arriving at the diagnosis which may influence the extent of surgery. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with fibrosis in histopathological examination warrants IHC analysis for achieving a diagnosis.

A rare case of immune-related pseudotumor of ovary mimicking ovarian malignancy

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting various body organs. However, genital tract involvement is rarely reported. A 40 years old reproductive-age woman presented with a solid abdominopelvic mass of 20 weeks size. CECT revealed a large multiloculated solid cystic lesion arising from right adnexa with multiple enlarged lymph nodes and omental thickening with gross right-sided hydroureteronephrosis suggestive of ovarian malignancy stage III. Surprisingly, tumor markers were normal. Intraoperatively, we noticed a 15×15 cm right ovarian mass encasing the right ureter all around and constricting it. The mass was densely adherent to recto-sigmoid and right pelvic wall, which mandated extensive surgery. Histopathological examination with immuno-histo-chemistry (IHC) suggested the diagnosis of IgG4-RD of ovary. Awareness about its occurrence in ovary will help in arriving at the diagnosis which may influence the extent of surgery. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with fibrosis in histopathological examination warrants IHC analysis for achieving a diagnosis.

Seropositividad de Chlamydia psittaci en trabajadores expuestos a aves y revisión de la literatura: evidencia de circulación en Antioquia / Chlamydia psittaci seropositivity in workers exposed to birds and review of the literature: Evidence of circulation in Antioquia

Introducción. La psitacosis es una enfermedad zoonótica causada por Chlamydia psittaci. Esta bacteria es catalogada como un agente con potencial bioterrorista y ha causado múltiples brotes en trabajadores con exposición laboral a aves en diferentes lugares del mundo. En Colombia, no se hace seguimiento epidemiológico de la infección y existe una gran brecha en el conocimiento. Objetivos. Determinar la frecuencia de anticuerpos contra C. psittaci en trabajadores con exposición laboral a aves y sus factores asociados. Además, revisar la literatura en relación con los estudios sobre el tema realizados en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con intención analítica, en trabajadores en contacto con aves y se revisó la literatura científica relacionada en Colombia. Se detectaron anticuerpos IgM e IgG contra C. psittaci en suero por microinmunofluorescencia. La descripción de las características sociodemográficas y de exposición se hizo con frecuencias y medidas de resumen. Se exploraron factores asociados por análisis bivariados y multivariados. La revisión de la literatura científica y gris se hizo con búsqueda estructurada. Resultados. Se analizaron 54 trabajadores en contacto con aves y se encontró una prevalencia de anticuerpos del 31,5 %. El ejercer funciones de sacrificio y faenado de las aves sin ser médico veterinario fue un factor de riesgo para la presencia de anticuerpos. Solo se encontraron cuatro estudios previos sobre C. psittaci hechos en Colombia. Conclusiones. Este estudio constituye la primera evidencia de la circulación de C. psittaci en trabajadores en contacto con aves en Antioquia y el segundo reporte en el país. Estos hallazgos aportan desde la salud pública a la estrategia One Health.

Introduction. Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium classified as an agent with bioterrorist potential. It has caused multiple outbreaks in exposed poultry workers around the world. Colombia has no epidemiological follow-up of the infection and a big knowledge gap. Objectives. To determine the antibodies' frequency against C. psittaci in workers with occupational exposure to birds and to review the literature on studies conducted in Colombia. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with analytical intent on workers in contact with birds and reviewed the related literature in Colombia. IgM and IgG serum antibodies against C. psittaci were detected by microimmunofluorescence. The sociodemographic and exposure characteristics were expressed as frequencies and summary measures. Associated factors were explored by bivariate and multivariate analysis. The scientific and gray literature review was done with a structured search. Results. We analyzed 54 workers in contact with birds. Antibody prevalence was 31.5%. Slaughtering and evisceration by non-veterinarians was a risk factor for antibody presence. There are only four previous studies on C. psittaci in Colombia. Conclusions. Here, we present the first evidence of C. psittaci circulation among workers exposed to birds in Antioquia and the second report in the country. These findings contribute to the "One Health" public health strategy.

Pseudotumor inflamatorio hepático: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Hepatic Inflammatory Pseudotumor Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma: A Rare Case and Literature Review

Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 49 años, de sexo masculino, que consulta en el servicio de urgencias por un cuadro de dos meses de evolución, caracterizado por compromiso del estado general, baja de peso, dolor abdominal, sensación febril y elevación de los parámetros inflamatorios. Al estudio imagenológico se observa una voluminosa lesión hepática, asociada a dilatación de la vía biliar y adenopatías en hilio hepático, espacio porto-cavo y retroperitoneales (inter-cavo-aórticos), que plantea dentro de los diagnósticos diferencias un colangiocarcinoma intrahepático. Basados en esta sospecha se realiza una segmentectomía y linfadenectomía regional. El estudio histopatológico e inmunohistoquímico de la pieza quirúrgica, evidencia un proceso inflamatorio linfoplasmocitario, con la presencia de células plasmáticas IgG4 positivas, compatible con una enfermedad asociada a IgG4. Posterior a la resección se decide manejo expectante, evolucionando el paciente de forma favorable, asintomático y sin signos de recurrencia. Presentamos un caso y una breve revisión de la literatura de un pseudotumor inflamatorio hepático, entidad poco frecuente y de comportamiento benigno.

We report the case of a 49-year-old man who attended the emergency department for a two-month history of compromised general condition, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, and elevated inflammatory parameters. An imaging study demonstrates a bulky liver tumor associated with dilation of the bile duct and retroperitoneal adenopathies (hepatic hilum, intermediate, and right lumbar groups). These findings raise intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma within the differential diagnoses, reason why segmental hepatectomy and regional lymphadenectomy were performed. Histopathology and immunochemistry revealed a lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory process with IgG4-positive plasma cells compatible with IgG4-associated disease. After the resection, expectant management was decided, with the patient evolving favorably, asymptomatic, and without signs of recurrence. We present a case and a brief literature review of an hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor, a rare entity with a benign behavior.

Antibody Response to SARS-COV-2 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers of Uttarakhand: A Prospective Follow-up Study

Background: Countries around the world are now racing to vaccinate people against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Government of India also rolled out its vaccination drive from 16th January ‘2021. Aims: To estimate the antibody response of the COVID-19 vaccine in the form of SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies in vaccinated healthcare workers. Methods: Prospective follow-up was study conducted on healthcare workers (HCWs) of a Medical college in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Healthcare workers who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 were tested for SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies at regular intervals i.e at 4 weeks after the 1st dose and then again at 4 weeks after the 2nd dose. The third sample was taken 6 months after the 2nd dose. Results: A total of 302 HCWs were enrolled in the study who gave their samples for IgG antibody estimation after the Covishield vaccine. After 4 weeks of completion of both doses, 96% HCWs formed SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies, whereas 4% didn’t. Then after 6 months of follow-up, 14% HCWs have become negative for antibodies and better immunity is seen in people who also got infected with COVID-19 during this time. Conclusion: This study concludes that the immunity gained after vaccination is waning off in around 6 months and there is a need for a booster dose, especially for people at high risk. The infection control practices still play a crucial role in the prevention of this deadly disease.

Hypophysitis an uncommon manifestation of IgG4-related disease: Case report

IgG4-related disease is a recently described disease that can involve various organs and systems. Single organ involvement is the exception to the rule, it is generally a multi-system entity. We present a 36-year-old woman, with no previous pathological history or autoimmune disease, with headache caused by cystic macroadenoma. A transsphenoidal resection was performed and pathology documented areas of fibrosis with a predominantly plasmolymphocytic infíltrate and positive IgG4 staining in more than 20 cells per high-power field, meeting diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related sclerosing disease. Involvement of other organs was ruled out, and the patient improved clinically after management.

La enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 es una entidad recientemente descrita, capaz de involucrar diversos órganos y sistemas. El compromiso de órganos aislados es la excepción a la regla, dado que generalmente se trata de una entidad multisistémica. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 36 años, sin antecedentes patológicos previos, en quien como causa de cefalea se documenta un macroadenoma quístico llevado a resección transesfenoidal, cuyo resultado de patología documenta zonas de fibrosis con infiltrado de predominio plasmo-linfocitario y la tinción para IgG4 positiva en más de 20 células por campo de alto poder, lo que configura criterios diagnósticos para enfermedad esclerosante relacionada con IgG4; se descartó compromiso de otros órganos y hubo mejoría clínica posterior al manejo.

Systemic disease in leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a focus on direct immunofluorescence findings

Abstract Background Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) panels are usually ordered for clinically suspected cutaneous vasculitis, but their positivity rate is variable, and their prognostic significance is not clear to date. Objective The study aims to investigate the systemic involvement rate in leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) patients and the potential clinical and laboratory associations with systemic involvement, including DIF findings. Methods A retrospective study of patients with histopathologically proven cutaneous LCV examined in the dermatology department between 2013 and 2017 was performed. Results Of the 81 patients (mean age, 50.6 years), 42 (52%) were male. The mean time between the appearance of skin lesions and biopsy was 23.1 days, ranging from 2 to 180 days. DIF showed overall positivity of 90.1%, and C3 was the most frequent immunoreactant (82.7%). Any kind of extracutaneous involvement was present in 47 (58%) of patients, with renal involvement being the most frequent (53.1%), followed by articular (18.5%) and gastrointestinal (11.1%) involvement. The presence of renal disease was associated with the detection of IgG in the lesional skin (p = 0.017), and with the absence of IgM in the lesional skin (p = 0.032). There was a significant association between C3 deposition and joint involvement (p = 0.05). Study limitations This is a single-center study with a retrospective design. Conclusion DIF seems to be a useful ancillary diagnostic tool in the evaluation of cutaneous vasculitis, but the relationship between DIF findings and systemic involvement needs to be further elucidated due to contradictory data in the current literature.

A Nested Case-Control Study to Explore the Association between Immunoglobulin G N-glycans and Ischemic Stroke / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study prospectively investigates the association between immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycan traits and ischemic stroke (IS) risk.@*METHODS@#A nested case-control study was conducted in the China suboptimal health cohort study, which recruited 4,313 individuals in 2013-2014. Cases were identified as patients diagnosed with IS, and controls were 1:1 matched by age and sex with cases. IgG N-glycans in baseline plasma samples were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 99 IS cases and 99 controls were included, and 24 directly measured glycan peaks (GPs) were separated from IgG N-glycans. In directly measured GPs, GP4, GP9, GP21, GP22, GP23, and GP24 were associated with the risk of IS in men after adjusting for age, waist and hip circumference, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Derived glycan traits representing decreased galactosylation and sialylation were associated with IS in men (FBG2S2/(FBG2 + FBG2S1 + FBG2S2): odds ratio ( OR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.87-0.97; G1 n: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63-0.87; G0 n: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.22). However, these associations were not found among women.@*CONCLUSION@#This study validated that altered IgG N-glycan traits were associated with incident IS in men, suggesting that sex discrepancies might exist in these associations.

Research progress on the pathogenesis,diagnosis and treatment of food intolerance / 新乡医学院学报

Food intolerance(FI)is a type of adverse food reaction,which can cause discomfort through immune effects,enzyme deficiency,reduced enzyme activity,pharmacological effects and other mechanisms.FI involves all systems of the body and is associated with migraine,inflammatory bowel disease,irritable bowel syndrome,dermatitis etc.,and even involves some rare diseases.The incidence of FI is high,but due to the insidious onset,the complexity of food types,so its diag-nosis is difficult.At present,the pathogenes of FI is unclear,misdiagnosis and mistreatment prevent effective improvement of symptoms of FI patients,which lower the quality of life of patients.Therefore,it is very important to explore the pathogenesis of FI and further research on more simple and effective diagnosis methods and individualized treatment measures for the preven-tion and treatment of FI.This article mainly reviews the research progress on the pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment of FI,in order to provide reference for further research on novel diagnostic,preventive,and therapeutic methods for FI.

A case of proliferative glomerulonephritis with large crescent formation in pregnancy with monoclonal IgG deposition / 中华肾脏病杂志

The patient was a young woman with a history of syphilis, gross hematuria onset, chronic course, exacerbation in the second and third trimesters. The clinical manifestations were gross hematuria, nephrotic syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis requiring dialysis, decreased complement C3 and C4, and monoclonal IgG-kappa deposition in blood and urine immunofixation electrophoresis. Membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescent formation under renal pathological light microscopy, only single IgG3 deposition in the immunofluorescent IgG subtype, and restrictive expression of light chain kappa, were diagnosed as proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG (IgG3-kappa) deposits (PGNMID). The was the first case with a history of syphilis that worsened during pregnancy. After treatment with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone, the patient was finally released from dialysis, renal function recovered, and proteinuria improved.

Value of serum IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio in differential diagnosis of autoimmune diseases / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the value of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and IgG4/ immunoglobulin G (IgG) ratio in the differential diagnosis of IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RD) and other autoimmune diseases.Methods:A total of 35 patients with IgG4-RD and 937 patients with autoimmune diseases who received treatment in Beijing Hospital from January 2021 to July 2022, and 200 subjects who concurrently underwent health checkups in the same hospital were included in this study. The IMMAGE 800 and BN II automatic special protein analyzers were used to detect IgG and IgG4. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio was plotted.Results:Serum IgG4 level and IgG4/IgG ratio in the IgG4-RD group were 2.83 (2.01, 5.07) g/L and 25% (18%, 43%) respectively, which were higher than 0.35 (0.16, 0.72) g/L, 3% (1%, 6%) in the autoimmune disease group and 0.27 (0.14, 0.49) g/L, 2% (1%, 4%) in the healthy control group ( U = 795.50, 82.50, 1 744.50, 205.50, all P < 0.001). Taking IgG4 ≥ 1.35 g/L as the standard, patients with IgG4 ≥ 1.35 g/L in the three groups were screened out. There was a statistically significant difference in IgG4/IgG ratio between the IgG4-RD group and the non-IgG4-RD group ( U = 453.50, P < 0.001). The ROC curve of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio showed that when IgG4 was 1.47 g/L, the sensitivity was 91.7%, the specificity was 83.5%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.96. When IgG4/IgG was 12.5%, the sensitivity was 91.4%, the specificity was 85%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.96. Taking IgG4 ≥ 1.47 g/L and IgG4/IgG ≥ 12.5% as the diagnostic criteria of IgG4-RD, the sensitivity was 94.3%, the specificity was 85.9%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.96, which were higher than the sensitivity (87.2%) and diagnostic specificity (82.6%) provided by IgG4 alone. Conclusion:Because non-IgG4-RD diseases can also have the phenomenon of increased IgG4, when IgG4 ≥ 1.47 g/L is taken as the diagnostic criteria, its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity are the highest. Combined detection of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio can increase the diagnostic efficacy of IgG4-RD.

Clinical analysis of sIgG antibody in children with food intolerance in Qingdao / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To analyze food intolerance status in children in Qingdao by detecting the serum levels of food-specific IgG (sIgG).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, a total of 4 249 children aged 0 to 14 years (all were permanent residents of Qingdao City) admitted to Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from May 2017 to December 2020 for suspected food intolerance were selected as the study objects with the whole sampling method. According to the age, the objects were divided into 4 groups: 0-<1 year group (440 cases), 1-<3 years group (1 761 cases), 3-<6 years group (1 193 cases), and ≥6 years group (855 cases). Positive condition of serum sIgG antibodies of 14 kinds of food in the children were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Chi-square test was used to compare the positive rate of the antibodies among different foods, gender and age groups.Results:The total positive rate of food sIgG antibody in 4 249 children was 95.32% (4 050/4 249), the highest positive rate was found in eggs (81.50%) and the lowest positive rate was found in pork (1.15%). The positive rates of sIgG antibody in milk (54.98% vs 49.69%, χ2=11.627), crab (5.59% vs 3.71%, χ2=8.049) and shrimp (4.62% vs 2.75%, χ2=9.784) in boys were significantly higher than those in girls, and the positive rates of sIgG antibody in tomato (49.19% vs 45.54%, χ2=5.510), cod (8.53% vs 5.96%, χ2=10.512) and beef (2.58% vs 1.70%, χ2=3.959) in girls were significantly higher than those in boys (all P<0.05). The total positive rate of sIgG antibody in 14 foods was the lowest in 0-<1 year group (89.09%), and it was the highest in 3-<6 years group (96.98%) ( χ2=63.950, P<0.001). The highest positive rate in 0-<1 year group was found in tomato (56.36%), and it was eggs (85.29%, 88.94%, 85.50%) in all the other 3 groups. The positive rates of corn and beef decreased with age ( χ2=44.098, 20.106, P<0.001), while those of cod and mushroom increased with age ( χ2=32.315, 40.338, P<0.001). The positive rate of wheat (57.13%, χ2=42.273), tomato (57.01%, χ2=209.862), soybean (24.99%, χ2=92.580), crab (6.81%, χ2=33.201), shrimp (6.25%, χ2=47.863) were all the highest in 1-<3 years group among the 4 groups (all P<0.001), and the positive rate of chicken was the highest in 3-<6 years group (7.88%, χ2=29.875; P<0.001). Conclusions:Children in Qingdao have a high level of food intolerance, and the highest positive rate is for eggs. Milk, crab and shrimp should be focused on for boys, while tomatoes, cod and beef shoud be paid more attention to for girls. Children of different ages have different kinds of food intolerance, and their diets should be adjusted reasonably according to the characteristics.

Autologous serum skin test: immunological mechanisms and its associations with clinical features and prognosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria / 中华皮肤科杂志

Autologous serum skin test (ASST) is commonly used as a screening test to assess immune subtypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in clinical practice, but its immunological mechanisms and associations with clinical features and prognosis of CSU are not yet clear. Studies have shown that positive ASST is associated with increased immunoglobulin G autoantibodies, decreased eosinophil and basophil counts, increased CD63 expression on basophils, and changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in CSU patients, but not associated with age, disease duration, and personal or family history of CSU patients, and may be a predictor of severity of chronic urticaria. ASST-positive patients may respond poorly to second-generation H1 antihistamines, slowly to omalizumab, but respond well to cyclosporine and autologous whole blood/serum injections. This review summarizes the immunological and clinical characteristics of ASST-positive patients, and discusses the predictive value of positive ASST for the efficacy of different treatment regimens.