Antibody responses to influenza vaccine in patients on biological therapy: Results of RIER cohort study / Respuesta a la vacuna contra la gripe en pacientes que reciben tratamientos biológicos: resultados del estudio de cohortes RIER

Background and objectives: Influenza vaccine is recommended for patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases who receive biological therapy. To evaluate if biological therapy impairs immunization after seasonal influenza vaccine. Material and methods: Patients with inflammatory arthopathies, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue diseases who were receiving or were going to initiate biological therapy were included and vaccinated during 2014-2015 influenza season. ELISA was used to measure influenza antigen A and B antibodies, before and after vaccination. Demographic parameters, diagnosis and kind of treatment were recorded and their influence on the final serological status against influenza was studied. Results: 253 subjects were analyzed. After vaccination, 77% of participants presented detectable antibodies against antigen A and 50.6% of them had detectable antibodies against antigen B. Final seropositivity rate against antigen B antibodies increased from baseline (50.6% vs 43.5%, p<0.001). Anti-TNF drugs were associated with better response and rituximab with the worst (79.2% vs 55.0% for final seropositivity against antigen A, p=0.020). Vaccine response in the rituximab group tended to improve when the interval between the drug administration and the vaccination was at least 12 weeks (seropositivity rate 80.0% in those with the longer interval vs 25.0% in the other group, p=0.054). Conclusions: Among the patients on biological therapy vaccinated against influenza, anti-TNF therapy was identified as a predictive factor of final seropositivity. Rituximab presented a lower rate of final seropositivity, which could be increased with an accurate administration schedule

Antecedentes y objetivos: La vacunación antigripal está recomendada en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas que reciben tratamientos biológicos. Evaluar si la terapia biológica puede perjudicar la inmunización después de la administración de la vacuna contra la gripe estacional. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con artropatías inflamatorias, psoriasis, enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal o enfermedades del tejido conectivo, que estaban en tratamiento o que iban a iniciar tratamiento con terapia biológica, fueron incluidos en el estudio y vacunados durante la temporada de influenza 2014-2015. Se utilizó ELISA para medir los anticuerpos contra los antígenosA y B de la gripe, antes y después de la vacunación. Se registraron los datos demográficos, diagnósticos y el tipo de tratamiento y se estudió su influencia sobre el estado serológico final contra la influenza. Resultados: Se analizaron 253 sujetos. Después de la vacunación, el 77% de los participantes presentaron anticuerpos detectables contra el antígeno A y el 50,6% de ellos tenían anticuerpos detectables contra el antígeno B. La tasa de seropositividad final de anticuerpos contra el antígeno B aumentó desde los valores basales (50,6% frente a 43,5%, p<0,001). Los fármacos anti-TNF se asociaron con la mejor respuesta y rituximab con la peor (79,2% vs. 55,0% para la seropositividad final contra el antígeno A, p=0,020). La respuesta a la vacuna en el grupo de rituximab tuvo tendencia a mejorar cuando el intervalo entre la administración del fármaco y la vacunación fue por lo menos de 12 semanas (tasa de seropositividad del 80,0% en aquellos con el intervalo más largo frente al 25% en el otro grupo, p=0.054). Conclusiones: Entre los pacientes en terapia biológica vacunados contra la influenza, la terapia anti-TNF se identificó como un factor predictivo de la seropositividad final. Rituximab presentó una tasa más baja de seropositividad final, que podría aumentarse con un programa de administración preciso

Antibody responses to influenza vaccine in patients on biological therapy: Results of RIER cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Influenza vaccine is recommended for patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases who receive biological therapy. To evaluate if biological therapy impairs immunization after seasonal influenza vaccine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with inflammatory arthopathies, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue diseases who were receiving or were going to initiate biological therapy were included and vaccinated during 2014-2015 influenza season. ELISA was used to measure influenza antigen A and B antibodies, before and after vaccination. Demographic parameters, diagnosis and kind of treatment were recorded and their influence on the final serological status against influenza was studied. RESULTS: 253 subjects were analyzed. After vaccination, 77% of participants presented detectable antibodies against antigen A and 50.6% of them had detectable antibodies against antigen B. Final seropositivity rate against antigen B antibodies increased from baseline (50.6% vs 43.5%, p<0.001). Anti-TNF drugs were associated with better response and rituximab with the worst (79.2% vs 55.0% for final seropositivity against antigen A, p=0.020). Vaccine response in the rituximab group tended to improve when the interval between the drug administration and the vaccination was at least 12 weeks (seropositivity rate 80.0% in those with the longer interval vs 25.0% in the other group, p=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients on biological therapy vaccinated against influenza, anti-TNF therapy was identified as a predictive factor of final seropositivity. Rituximab presented a lower rate of final seropositivity, which could be increased with an accurate administration schedule.

Late-Onset Facial Papular Elastorrhexis.

Papular elastorrhexis, a rare defect of dermal elastic fibers of unknown origin, usually involves the trunk and extremities of children or young adults. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with multiple soft, skin-colored facial papules with histological findings characteristic of papular elastorrhexis. Awareness of this entity may allow for its proper identification outside the usual clinical setting.

Despedida prematura / Premature farewell

Fundação lembra centenário de morte de Gaspar Vianna, médico considerado brilhante e que faleceu aos 29 anos(AU)

Esclerodermia y cáncer de mama / Systemic sclerosis and breast cancer

Varios estudios han demostrado un aumento de la incidencia de cáncer en pacientes con esclerodermia sistémica, sobre todo en cáncer de pulmón,pero también en cáncer de mama. Presentamos una esclerodermia sistémica rápidamente progresiva en una mujer de 70 años, con afectación sistémicaprecoz, e induración en la mama izquierda. La realización de mamografías y biopsias repetidas diagnosticaron un adenocarcinoma de mama. Elintervalo entre ambos diagnósticos fue de 9 meses (AU)

Several studies have demonstrated an increase in cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) especially lung cancer, but also breast cancer. We presenta rapidly progressive SS, in a 70 years old woman, with early systemic affectation and left breast induration. Mammography and several biopsiesdiagnosed a breast adenocarcinoma. The duration between SS onset and breast cancer diagnosis was 9 months (AU)

Centenário de conquistas e desafios / Centenarian of conquests and challenges

Reportagem refaz o percurso dos estudos pioneiros de Carlos Chagas às estratégias atuais para combater a doença de Chagas. [AU]

A arte do boticário: como a figura do farmacêutico surgiu na Bahia e no Rio de Janeiro durante o século 19 / The art of the apothecary: as the figure of the druggist appeared in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro during the nineteen century

Apresenta a história do exercicío farmacêutico no Brasil, foco de projetos desenvolvidos na Casa de Oswaldo Cruz [COC-Fiocruz], surpreende por sua atualidade. O médico não pode impor ao doente a condição de comprar o remédio em determinada farmácia, os receituários devem apresentar com clareza os nomes e as doses das substâncias que entram na composição do medicamento e o farmacêutico não pode preparar uma receita que não esteja assinada pelo médico. Essas preocupações, embora pareçam bastante recentes, já estavam presentes no regulamento da Junta Central de Higiene Pública, publicado em 1851 - uma época em que as farmácias ainda se chamavam boticas. [AU]

Saúde nos trilhos: construção de ferrovias auxiliou a medicina tropical na Primeira República / Health in the tracks: construction of railroads helped the tropical medicine in the First Republic

Pesquisadores da Casa de Oswaldo Cruz [COC-Fiocruz] investigam a relação entre ferrovias, malária e a medicina tropical, entre os anos 1890 e 1920 e apontam a contribuição das expedições cinetíficas que percorreram os cantões do país na tentativa de debelar surtos para a construção do conhecimento. [AU]

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a congenital error of metabolism linked to pulmonary (emphysema) and liver (cirrhosis) disease. Since 1972, panniculitis has been associated with this deficiency, initially related to Weber-Christian syndrome and finally as a differentiated entity. Clinical manifestations typically consist of wide nodular lesions on the trunk and proximal extremities that evolve to ulceration and drainage. Histopathologically it presents as a mixed septal-lobular panniculitis pattern with some typical findings referred. Differential diagnosis from other types of panniculitis and neutrophilic dermatosis must be established. Different treatments, including tetracyclines, dapsone, and alpha-1-antitrypsin repositioning, have shown variable efficacy in controlling this disease.

A colônia que sonhou ser uma cidade / The colony that dreamed to be a city

Faz referência ao trabalho de Ana Teresa Venancio e Janis Alessandra Cassilia, apresentado na reunião anual da Associação Nacional de Pós-graduação em História, sobre a Colônia Juliano Moreira, no Rio de Janeiro, cujo modelo, o de hospital-colônia, foi privilegiado e implementado como padrão pelo Serviço Nacional de Doenças Mentais.(AU)

[Treatment of mycosis fungoides with PUVA and bexarotene]. / Tratamiento de micosis fungoide con PUVA más bexaroteno.

INTRODUCTION: The combined use of bexarotene and PUVA is a treatment that is currently being investigated. In this paper, six patients treated with this combination are presented. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with PUVA + bexarotene in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF). Patients, material and methods. Six patients diagnosed with MF in different stages, who received three sessions of PUVA treatment a week (initially 2.35 J/cm 2, with progressive increases to a maximum of 23.5 J/cm 2) + bexarotene (initial dose 300 mg/m 2/day, decreasing to 200, 150 or 75 mg/m 2 if signs of toxicity appeared). All received atorvastatin. RESULTS: Stage at the start of treatment: two patients IIb, one patient Ib with B2 blood involvement, two patients Ib, one patient Ia. Five of the six patients responded to the treatment (three full remissions [FR], two partial remissions [PR]). One patient did not respond. In those in whom FR was achieved, the time required for the response was 10, 20 and 24 weeks. All presented with hypertriglyceridemia (maximum 1194 mg/ dL). It was necessary to administer thyroid hormone supplements to four of the patients. Two of them had alterations in the hepatic biochemistry values, and two others presented with alterations in the muscle profile analysis. CONCLUSION: The combination of PUVA and bexarotene is a safe and effective treatment for MF. It will be necessary to await the results of the clinical trials currently underway to see if their combined use is better than treatment with PUVA alone. The response rate (RR) was 86 % (three FR and two PR out of six patients).

Tratamiento de micosis fungoide con PUVA más bexaroteno / Treatment of mycosis fungoides with PUVA and bexarotene

Introducción. La utilización conjunta de bexaroteno y psoraleno y radiación ultravioleta A (PUVA) en la actualidad es un tratamiento en investigación. En el presente trabajo se presentan 6 pacientes tratados con esta combinación. Objetivos. Valorar eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento con PUVA más bexaroteno en pacientes con micosis fungoide. Pacientes, material y métodos. Seis pacientes diagnosticados de micosis fungoide en distintos estadios que han recibido PUVA, tres sesiones semanales (inicio 2,35 J/cm 2, con aumentos progresivos hasta llegar a un máximo de 23,5 J/cm 2) más bexaroteno (dosis inicial, 300 mg/m 2/día, disminuyendo a 200, 150 o 75 mg/m 2 si aparecía toxicidad). Todos los pacientes recibieron atorvastatina. Resultados. Al inicio de tratamiento, 2 pacientes se encontraban en estadio IIb, un paciente en Ib con afectación hemática B2, 2 pacientes en Ib y un paciente en estadio Ia. Cinco de los 6 pacientes respondieron al tratamiento (tres remisiones completas [RC], dos remisiones parciales [RP]). Un paciente no respondió. De los que obtuvieron RC, el tiempo hasta la respuesta fue de 10, 20 y 24 semanas, respectivamente. Todos los pacientes presentaron hipertrigliceridemia (máximo de 1.194 mg/dl). En cuatro de los pacientes fue necesario administrar suplementos de hormona tiroidea. Dos de ellos tuvieron alteraciones de la bioquímica hepática y dos más presentaron alteraciones analíticas del perfil muscular. Conclusión. La combinación de PUVA y bexaroteno es un tratamiento eficaz y seguro para la micosis fungoide. Habrá que esperar a los resultados de los ensayos clínicos en curso para ver si es mejor su uso combinado que el tratamiento con PUVA sola. El índice de respuesta fue del 86 % (3 RC y 2 RP de 6 pacientes)

Introduction. The combined use of bexarotene and PUVA is a treatment that is currently being investigated. In this paper, six patients treated with this combination are presented. Objectives. To assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with PUVA + bexarotene in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF). Patients, material and methods. Six patients diagnosed with MF in different stages, who received three sessions of PUVA treatment a week (initially 2.35 J/cm 2, with progressive increases to a maximum of 23.5 J/cm 2) + bexarotene (initial dose 300 mg/m 2/day, decreasing to 200, 150 or 75 mg/m 2 if signs of toxicity appeared). All received atorvastatin. Results. Stage at the start of treatment: two patients IIb, one patient Ib with B2 blood involvement, two patients Ib, one patient Ia. Five of the six patients responded to the treatment (three full remissions [FR], two partial remissions [PR]). One patient did not respond. In those in whom FR was achieved, the time required for the response was 10, 20 and 24 weeks. All presented with hypertriglyceridemia (maximum 1194 mg/ dL). It was necessary to administer thyroid hormone supplements to four of the patients. Two of them had alterations in the hepatic biochemistry values, and two others presented with alterations in the muscle profile analysis. Conclusion. The combination of PUVA and bexarotene is a safe and effective treatment for MF. It will be necessary to await the results of the clinical trials currently underway to see if their combined use is better than treatment with PUVA alone. The response rate (RR) was 86 % (three FR and two PR out of six patients)

Eczema alérgico de contacto por resina epoxi / Allergic contact eczema from epoxy resin

Las resinas epoxi son plásticos muy empleados como aislantes eléctricos, en recubrimientos y como adhesivos y pinturas. Presentan un gran poder sensibilizante y son una de las principales causas de eczema alérgico de contacto, tanto en el medio laboral como fuera de éste. Presentamos el caso de un trabajador de una planta plastoquímica que manipulaba componentes de material aeronáutico en el proceso de fabricación de piezas de fuselaje. Consultó por lesiones eczematosas en los dedos, manos y antebrazos, de 2 años de evolución, en clara relación con su actividad laboral. Se realizaron pruebas epicutáneas con la batería estándar, la de plásticos y adhesivos y sus productos propios. Se objetivaron positividades a resinas epoxi (batería estándar) y a sus productos propios, entre los que se encontraban distintas láminas de fibras de vidrio y carbono impregnadas con resinas epoxi y adhesivos epoxi

Epoxy resins are plastics that are widely used as electrical insulation, in coatings, and as adhesives and paints. They have strong sensitizing power and are one of the main causes of allergic contact eczema, both in the workplace and elsewhere. We present the case of a worker at a plastics/ chemical plant, who handled aeronautical components in the process of manufacturing fuselage parts. He consulted his physician because of eczematous lesions on his fingers, hands and forearms which had developed over a two-year period and were clearly related to his work. The standard battery of skin tests was performed, along with the plastics and adhesives series and tests using the products from his workplace. Positivity was shown to epoxy resins (standard battery) and to the products from his workplace, which included different fiberglass and carbon fiber sheets impregnated with epoxy resins and epoxy adhesives

[Allergic contact eczema from epoxy resin]. / Eczema alérgico de contacto por resina epoxi.

Epoxy resins are plastics that are widely used as electrical insulation, in coatings, and as adhesives and paints. They have strong sensitizing power and are one of the main causes of allergic contact eczema, both in the workplace and elsewhere. We present the case of a worker at a plastics/chemical plant, who handled aeronautical components in the process of manufacturing fuselage parts. He consulted his physician because of eczematous lesions on his fingers, hands and forearms which had developed over a two-year period and were clearly related to his work. The standard battery of skin tests was performed, along with the plastics and adhesives series and tests using the products from his workplace. Positivity was shown to epoxy resins (standard battery) and to the products from his workplace, which included different fiberglass and carbon fiber sheets impregnated with epoxy resins and epoxy adhesives.

Manual de cultivo y conservación de plantas medicinales / Manual of cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants

El Programa TRAMIL/ENDA - Caribe, con el auspicio financiero del CIID (Canadá) y el apoyo técnico del Jardín Botánico Bougainvillea (Costa Rica), ha motivado a organismo de la región Centroamericana y el Caribe, para que promueven el mejoramiento de técnicas de conservación y cultivo de plantas medicinales de usos populares, haciendo énfasis sobre aquellas plantas nativas aún en estado silvestre. El Programa TRAMIL Centroamérica está promoviendo el aprovechamiento sustentable de los recursos naturales empleados por la población rural y urbano. Por tal razón es imprescindible contar con una herramienta técnia que garantice la conservación y manejo de las plantas medicinales de uso popular. El reto que asumió TRAMIL Centroamérica es precisamente complementar acciones de desarrollo, y para alcanzar esta es necesario implementar acciones de campo que brinden información sobre la calidad de la materia prima.