[Threat of a SARS-CoV-2 endemic in a large hospital specialized in rheumatic diseases-relative all clear through consistent testing]. / Drohende Corona-Endemie in einer rheumatologischen Spezialklinik ­ relative Entwarnung durch konsequente Testung.

The severe acute respiratory coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is keeping most countries of the world in suspense. In Germany the prevalence of SARS-CoV­2 infections is under 2% but for weeks the numbers in Germany have also been increasing. The care in rheumatology was temporarily impaired by the first wave of the pandemic. This article reports the infection situation in the largest specialized rheumatology clinic in Germany, the Rheumatism Center Ruhrgebiet, because recently during the second wave for the first time several SARS-CoV­2 infections occurred here over one weekend, which led to considerable anxiety in many of those involved. The situation could be clarified by consistent testing of patients and personnel with the rapid antigen test and the situation could be mollified. Ultimately, only a few persons were tested positive and the courses by the patients have so far remained bland. This shows the effectiveness of the protective hygiene measures consistently implemented since April.

[Rheumatological care in the Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet Rheumatism Center-a model for conurbations]. / Rheumatologische Versorgung im Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet ­ ein Modell für Ballungszentren.

The Ruhrgebiet Rheumatism Center, which is highly specialized for rheumatic diseases, is the largest of its kind in Germany. For many years it has fulfilled all the requirements for structural quality required by the Association of Rheumatological Acute Clinics (VRA) including regular participation in the KOBRA benchmarking project. Therefore, the center regularly receives the VRA seal for quality of care. In 2018 more than 7500 patients were treated as inpatients. Within the framework of care according to §116b (ASV since May 2019) there were nearly 25,000 outpatient patient contacts. Furthermore, an early screening program (triage) was established 5 years ago in order to be able to identify patients with musculoskeletal complaints on a potentially inflammatory rheumatic basis. This functions in the sense of an early diagnosis and treatment in accordance with the treat-to-target concept within less than 4 weeks (initially) on an outpatient basis with respect to the required urgency, in order to subsequently provide sound diagnostic support. In the last 2 years 2017 and 2018, this deadline was met in more than 90% of cases. Within the scope of inpatient care approximately one third of patients were treated in recent years with a defined rheumatological complex therapy and 10% with pain complex therapy. Approximately 3% were treated with geriatric complex therapy and 65% were short-stay patients (<4 days), i.e. patients who received the necessary diagnostics and treatment on an inpatient basis at short notice. The overall structure of the rheumatism center, the cooperation with rheumatologists in private practice, many cooperation partners, referring physicians and patients represents a model for rheumatological care in large conurbations. The care of large numbers of patients also enables the further training of many assistants and this is essential for the future of good rheumatological medicine.

[Tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis (TINU) syndrome. A relatively rare rheumatological differential diagnosis with unexplained uveitis]. / Tubulointerstitielle-Nephritis-mit-Uveitis (TINU)-Syndrom. Eine eher seltene rheumatologische Differenzialdiagnose bei unklarer Uveitis.

The tubulo-interstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome, first described in 1975, is a rare disease most probably of autoimmune origin that is characterized by unilateral or bilateral uveitis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Most patients are adolescents and it is sometimes associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and hyperthyroidosis. This article reports the case of a 43-year-old female patient who presented with refractory recurrent bilateral uveitis despite therapy with high doses of corticosteroids in combination with cyclosporin. When the patient was referred to this hospital for rheumatological examination after almost 1 year of therapy, mild renal insufficiency and proteinuria were found. The kidney biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis, partly crescent-shaped and partly chronic. A diagnosis of TINU syndrome was made and treatment with adalimumab in combination with methotrexate was started. The favorable clinical outcome indicated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TINU syndrome.

Cocaine alters glutamic acid decarboxylase differentially in the nucleus accumbens core and shell.

The effects of acute and repeated daily cocaine on the levels of mRNA coding for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), preproenkephalin (PPE), preprotachykinin (PPT), and the dopamine D2 receptor were determined in the striatum, nucleus accumbens core and shell areas (NAcore, NAshell), and medial prefrontal cortex. Rats were given repeated saline or cocaine for 6 days. A cocaine challenge administered 24 h later resulted in an augmented locomotor response in daily cocaine-pretreated rats. Six h after the challenge, rats were sacrificed and Northern blot analysis revealed that acute cocaine increased GAD mRNA levels by 44% in the NAshell, while repeated cocaine prevented the acute cocaine-induced increase. These data suggest that cocaine may differentially regulate GABA release at NA core and shell projection fields.