ABSTRACT
High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) has proved to be effective in the treatment of a number of immune disorders. We report two patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) who improved with IVGG therapy. These patients had become refractory to corticosteroids and had developed unacceptable steroid toxicity. We suggest that IVGG can be useful in the treatment of juvenile DM, by reducing steroid requirements, and replacing immunosuppressive drugs.
Subject(s)
Dermatomyositis/therapy , Immunization, Passive , Child , Female , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , gamma-Globulins/administration & dosageSubject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/congenital , Fibroma/congenital , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/congenital , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant, Newborn , MaleSubject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/congenital , Fibroma/congenital , Skin Neoplasms/congenital , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Skull Neoplasms/congenitalABSTRACT
The authors report a case of neonatal hepatitis with alpha-1-antitrypsin occuring in a child of ZZ phenotype. The anatomopathological study carried out on two liver biopsies showed changes of common cholestatic hepatitis developing into cirrhosis, as well as intrahepatocytary globulins. Moreover, these globulins, P.A.S. positive after treatment by alphaamylase, fix an antialpha-1-antitrypsine antiserum. Ultrastructural analysis shows them to be masses of amorphous material, feebly osmiophilic, outlined by a unitary membrane the moniliform aspect of which recalls the ergastoplasmic membrane. These findings are identical to those already made in cases of cirrhogenous neonatal hepatitis by alpha-1-antitrypsine deficit reported in the literature. They point out the irreversibility of the affection which, after a stage of cholestatic hepatitis with or without inflammatory portal fibrosis, develops into cirrhosis. At this stage cholestasis has regressed or disappeared whereas portal sclerosis, often infiltrated with free elements, surrounds hepatic lobules and biliary neocanaliculi. But the globulins are still present and appear to be the specific feature of this deficit. By their ultrastructural and immuno-histochemical features, these globulins would represent a form of accumulation of alpha-1-antitrypsin in the hepatocytes which normally carry out the synthesis of this antienzyme. Accumulation in the hepatocytes proves excretory disturbance of hypothetical mechanism: structural anomaly, changes in the permeability of the membrane. Its role in the occurrence of hepatitis or cirrhosis lesions is still to be demonstrated but one may think that it consists in absence of inhibition of the enzymatic factors discharged during agressions.
