Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: historical overview and potential gaps.

CPPD disease can affect patients' quality of life through its various clinical presentations. This mini-review discusses the evolution of CPPD from its discovery to current knowledge of its pathogenesis, genetic associations, diagnostics, and treatment options. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms of CPPD are not well understood, and there is a notable lack of knowledge about psychosocial impacts and patient experiences. This study aims to present a CPPD Disease Timeline identifying gaps in current knowledge and potential directions for future research. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of CPPD disease and emphasize the importance of continued research and innovation in this field.

Rituximab treatment in ANCA-associated vasculitis patients: outcomes of a real-life experience from an observational cohort.

Rituximab is a first-line therapy in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Among previous studies evaluating its efficacy, the Hispanic/Latino population has been underrepresented. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of AAV patients treated with rituximab in a tertiary care center in Mexico. This is a retrospective cohort study including patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), or renal-limited vasculitis (RLV), who received at least one dose of rituximab (induction or maintenance therapy) from January 2014 to October 2020. Demographic, clinical, serological, histopathological, and treatment-related variables were retrieved. Outcomes were the rate of remission at 6 months during induction and the rate of relapses during maintenance. Damage, serious infections, and death were assessed. Differences between patients with and without remission were analyzed. Forty-two patients received rituximab, 34 of them as induction to remission. Twenty-two patients (65%) achieved remission after 6 months. Patients who achieved remission were younger than those who did not (50 vs. 60 years, p = 0.03). During induction, severe infections, most frequently pneumonia, occurred in 9 (26%), and one patient died. Twenty-four patients received rituximab as maintenance; of them, 23 (96%) achieved complete response, and 8 (33%) experienced relapses (median follow-up time 19 months). During maintenance, severe infections (pneumonia) occurred in 5 patients (21%), and 3 of them (13%) died. In this observational cohort study, the outcomes were similar to the ones reported in other populations, whereas severe infections were frequent and associated with mortality. Key Points • In this study, the outcomes of 42 Mexican patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis treated with rituximab were assessed in a real-life setting. • At 6 months, 65% of the patients achieved remission with rituximab, especially those younger than 50 years of age. • During maintenance therapy with rituximab, 96% of the patients achieved complete response, and 33% experienced relapses. • Severe infections, mostly pneumonia, occurred in 26% of patients during induction and 21% of patients during maintenance therapy with rituximab.

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis associated with joint calcium oxalate crystals: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis (PMSA) is an extremely rare local infection by Neisseria meningitidis in the absence of meningitis or meningococcaemia syndrome. A 30-year-old healthy, immunocompetent man presented with arthralgia, fever, chest rash, and significant swelling of the right knee. On admission, a disseminated maculopapular and purpuric rash, oligoarthritis, neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants were documented. Following arthrocentesis of the right knee, isolation of N. meningitidis and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid were reported. The diagnosis of PMSA was made. Histological analysis of the skin lesion showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone plus open surgical drainage and ambulatory cefixime with adequate response. After 1 month, he presented resolution of the pathological process. We performed an extensive review of the literature, finding that the key elements supporting the diagnosis of PMSA are prodromal upper respiratory tract symptoms and skin involvement prior to or synchronous with the arthritis. Also, the most frequently involved joint is the knee. This report is the first case of a patient presenting with PMSA associated with calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid. Herein, we discuss the most frequent clinical manifestations, the unusual histological features, the recommended treatment, and the reported prognosis of this rare entity.