Transverse Myelitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in a Large Cohort of Latin American Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an infrequent but severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of study was to describe clinical features and prognostic factors of patients with SLE-related ATM. METHODS: In this medical records review study, data were collected from 60 patients from 16 centers seen between 1996 and 2017 who met diagnostic criteria for SLE and myelitis as defined by the American College of Rheumatology/Systemic International Collaborating Clinics and the Working Group of the Transverse Myelitis Consortium, respectively. Objective neurological impairment was measured with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and European Database for Multiple Sclerosis Grade Scale (EGS). RESULTS: Among patients included, 95% (n = 57) were female, and the average age was 31.6 ± 9.6 years. Myelitis developed after diagnosis of SLE in 60% (n = 36). Symmetrical paraparesis with hypoesthesia, flaccidity, sphincter dysfunction, AIS = A/B, and EGS ≥ 8 was the most common presentation. Intravenous methylprednisolone was used in 95% (n = 57), and 78.3% (n = 47) received intravenous cyclophosphamide. Sensory/motor recovery at 6 months was observed in 75% (42 of 56), but only in 16.1% (9 of 56) was complete. Hypoglycorrhachia and EGS ≥ 7 in the nadir were associated with an unfavorable neurological outcome at 6 months (p < 0.05). A relapse rate during follow-up was observed in 30.4% (17 of 56). Hypoglycorrhachia and hypocomplementemia seem to be protective factors for relapse. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was associated with time delay to relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic lupus erythematosus-related ATM may occur at any time of SLE course, leading to significant disability despite treatment. Relapses are infrequent and intravenous cyclophosphamide seems to delay it. Hypoglycorrhachia, hypocomplementemia, and EGS at nadir are the most important prognostic factors.

Infectious agents in feral swine in Ohio, USA (2009-2015): A low but evolving risk to agriculture and public health.

As highly mobile and prolific animals, feral swine threaten public and livestock health. To quantify these threats, we analyzed disease surveillance samples to estimate the prevalence of key pathogens and parasites in feral swine captured in Ohio. Between 2009 and 2015, samples from 205 feral swine were tested for up to 13 pathogens. Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from 29 of 138 (21%) individuals and antibodies to Leptospira spp. (16/69; 23%), Toxoplasma gondii (11/76; 15%), Trichinella spiralis (4/69; 6%), hepatitis E virus (1/32; 3%), Brucella spp. (2/138; 1%), and influenza A virus (2/176; 1%) were also detected. Lungworms (Metastrongylus spp.) were frequently identified (46/55; 84%). Evidence of infection or exposure was not detected to Mycobacterium bovis, classical swine fever, pseudorabies, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. All positive Brucella and hepatitis E virus samples and 63% (10/16) of the positive Leptospira spp. samples came from individuals identified as illegal out-of-state feral swine introductions. Results indicated an overall low prevalence of pathogens in feral swine in Ohio; however, the importation of live feral swine from other states remained an important concern for pathogen introduction and spread.

Registro Iberoamericano de Espondiloartritis (RESPONDIA): Perú / RESPONDIA. Iberoamerican Spondyloarthritis Registry: Perú

Antecedentes: La importancia del estudio de las espondiloartritis en el Perú data de 1980. Se desconocen la frecuencia y la incidencia de la enfermedad, así como la presencia del antígeno de histocompatibilidad HLA-B27. Un estudio de prevalencia de enfermedades reumáticas en el Perú asigna a las espondiloartritis el 0,4%. Hemos encontrado presencia del HLA-B27 en el 33% de los pacientes. Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas, sociodemográficas, radiológicas y genéticas de los pacientes con espondiloartritis atendidos en el servicio de reumatología del Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati de Lima (Perú). Métodos: Análisis descriptivo y transversal de la información recogida acerca de pacientes peruanos con espondiloartritis entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2008, y almacenada en línea en la página electrónica del grupo REGISPONSER (Registro de Espondiloartritis de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología). Se utilizó el programa SPSS versión 13.0. Resultados: Se incluyó a 60 pacientes (39 varones [65%]) de 40 años de edad media. El diagnóstico establecido con más frecuencia fue espondilitis anquilosante y, en segundo lugar, espondiloartritis juvenil. El 31% tuvo reactividad al HLA-B27 y el 18,6% tenía historia familiar de espondiloartritis. Las extremidades inferiores se afectaron con más frecuencia, y la lumbalgia inflamatoria y el síndrome sacroilíaco fueron la afección axial más frecuente. Encontramos tarsitis en 31 pacientes (53,4%). El tratamiento más utilizado fue la sulfasalazina. Conclusión: Las características clínicas, demográficas y radiológicas de pacientes peruanos con espondiloartritis son similares a las encontradas en otros países iberoamericanos. La espondilitis anquilosante fue el diagnóstico más frecuente en varones y al 31% de los pacientes se les encontró HLA-B27 positivo (AU)

Background: The study of spondyloarthritis in Peru dates back to 1980. The frequency and occurrence of the illness is unknown, as is the presence of HLA-B27. A prevalence study of rheumatic diseases in Peru that looked for spondyloarthritis showed it to be 0,4%. HLAB27 was found in 33% of the patients. Objectives: To describe the clinical, socio-demographics, radiological and genetic characteristics of the patients with spondyloarthritis who are attended by the department of rheumatology at the Hospital Nacional E. Rebagliati in Lima-Perú. Methods: Descriptive analysis and transferring of the information gathered from Peruvian patients with spondyloarthritis between January 2007 and December 2008 stored in the electronic web page of REGISPONSER. SPSS version 13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: We included 60 patients (39 men [65%]) averaging 40 years of age. The diagnosis established with a higher frequency was ankylosing spondylitis and, in second place juvenile spondyloarthritis. Thirty one percent was related to HLA-B27 and 18.6% had a familiar history of spondyloarthritis. The lower extremities were affected with a higher frequency and inflammatory_back pain and sacroiliac syndrome were the most frequent axial manifestation. We encountered tarsitis in 31 patients (53.4%). The most utilized treatment was sulfasalazine. Conclusion: The clinical, demographics and radiological characteristics of Peruvian patients with spondyloarthritis are similar to those from other Latin-American countries. Ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed most frequently in men and 31% are HLA-B27 positive (AU)

Patogenesis de osteoartritis / Osteoarthritis pathogenesis

La importancia de la investigación en osteoartritis radica en su alta incidencia, especialmente en personas mayores de cincuenta años. Para entender su desarrollo es necesario revisar la fisiopatología del cartílago normal y conocer las principales corrientes de explicación de esta enfermedad, entre estas las alteraciones funcionales, en las que se ven afectadas la protección activa y pasiva del cartílago contra el estrés, los cambios bioquímicos y metabólicos, así como los cambios celulares y morfológicos. El conocimiento de esta patogenia es imprescindible para llegar a resultados más prometedores en el tratamiento efectivo de la osteoartritis.

Mecanismos patogénicos en artritis reumatoide / Pathogenic mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad caracterizada por una respuesta inmune patológica en diferentes tejidos, principalmente de naturaleza colágena. El presente artículo revisa los últimos avances en la fisiopatología de la artritis en el que juegan un papel importante los mecanismos inmunológicos así como algunos procesos aún no bien comprendidos como la apoptosis.