A Case of Late Diagnosis of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults.

Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) is a type of autoimmune diabetes that begins in adulthood (usually after the age of 35 years); its main feature is the presence of diabetes-associated autoantibodies (most often autoantibody against glutamic acid decarboxylase), which leads to progressive destruction of the islets of Langerhans. This is a heterogeneous condition that presents with clinical and laboratory manifestations common to type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. We report a case of a 71-year-old man diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago, poorly controlled with oral antidiabetic therapy, and worsening in the third year. He had a positive family history of type 2 diabetes in two second-degree relatives (nephews). No pathologic findings at the physical examination were found. His body mass index was 23 kg/m2 and glycated hemoglobin was 10.6%. Laboratory workup revealed low basal C-peptide (<0.1 ng/mL) and positive glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, and the LADA diagnosis was confirmed. This case highlights the importance of being aware of this disease, especially in patients previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who remain uncontrolled with diet and oral hypoglycemic agents. LADA is often confused with type 2 diabetes, and therefore, the management is frequently inadequate. An early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to delaying disease progression.

Rhabdomyolysis Due to Salmonellosis: A Case Report of a Rare Presentation.

Salmonella infection has been commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. However, in some cases, patients can develop rare and life-threatening complications such as rhabdomyolysis. Here, we report a case of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella enteritidis infection complicated by rhabdomyolysis. The patient was successfully treated with fluids and antibiotics. Despite rare, the association of Salmonella infection and rhabdomyolysis may occur. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with aggressive fluid replacement and antibiotics are paramount to prevent acute kidney injury.

Vasculitis of small and large vessels, a casual association?

The authors report a case of a 69-year-old man with idiopathic leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis. For three years, the lesions recurred with progressive worsening and were associated with systemic manifestations of low-grade fever, weight loss and raised inflammatory markers. The patient latter presented a 6th cranial nerve involvement, raising the concern of a possible systemic vasculitis, which was latter evidenced by the development of deep vein thrombosis and angina pectoris. The treatment of the patient witch based on the decreasing of inflammatory activity, by using effective immunosuppressive therapy, with lower toxicity is more important than identifying the type of the vasculitis. This case illustrates the importance of awareness for the systemic involvement that can occur in up to 50% of patients with leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis.

Vasculitis of small and large vessels, a casual association?

SUMMARY The authors report a case of a 69-year-old man with idiopathic leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis. For three years, the lesions recurred with progressive worsening and were associated with systemic manifestations of low-grade fever, weight loss and raised inflammatory markers. The patient latter presented a 6th cranial nerve involvement, raising the concern of a possible systemic vasculitis, which was latter evidenced by the development of deep vein thrombosis and angina pectoris. The treatment of the patient witch based on the decreasing of inflammatory activity, by using effective immunosuppressive therapy, with lower toxicity is more important than identifying the type of the vasculitis. This case illustrates the importance of awareness for the systemic involvement that can occur in up to 50% of patients with leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis.

RESUMO Os autores reportam um caso de vasculite leucocitoclástica recidivante num homem de 69 anos. Durante cerca de três anos as lesões cutáneas de vasculite leucocitoclástica reapareceram periodicamente, acompanhando-se sempre de um quadro sistêmico caracterizado por febrícula, perda de peso e astenia, assim como aumento de novo dos parâmetros inflamatórios. O aparecimento de parésia do sexto par craniano no decurso de uma dessas recorrências cutâneas levantou a hipótese de estarmos perante uma vasculite mais agressiva, com envolvimento extracutâneo. Esse envolvimento sistêmico foi novamente evidente com aparecimento de angina pectoris e trombose venosa profunda. Atualmente, mais do que a identificação do tipo de vasculite, a abordagem dos doentes com essa patologia assenta na cessação da atividade inflamatória recorrendo a terapêutica imunossupressora eficaz, com a menor toxicidade possível. Destacamos a importância da vigilância do componente sistêmico, que pode ocorrer até 50% na vasculite leucocitoclástica cutânea.

Treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: Case series study of thirteen patients and discussion on outcome.

INTRODUCTION:: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), digital ulcers (DU) are debilitating and recurrent. They are markers of prognosis and are associated with disability and mortality. Treatment strategies have been developed to block the proposed mechanisms of this complication. OBJECTIVE:: Clinical description of a population of SSc patients with DU, treatment, complications and outcome. METHOD:: Analysis of 48 SSc patients meeting 2013 ACR-EULAR criteria, followed between 1999-2015; 13 patients had DU. Treatment protocol applied included cycles of 21 days of alprostadil, which can be repeated in the absence of DU healing. After DU healing, bosentan was initiated. RESULTS:: DU healing was achieved with intravenous prostanoid in 12 patients; seven patients required repeated treatment for DU healing. Twelve patients were later treated with bosentan; three of them experienced recurrence of DU, while one was anti-B2-GPI positive. Four patients had soft tissue loss and three other suffered digital amputation, these being late diagnosis. CONCLUSION:: Younger patients and early referrals had better outcomes. Endothelin receptor antagonist toxicity should be monitored, particularly in patients previously exposed to hepatotoxic drugs.

Treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: Case series study of thirteen patients and discussion on outcome / Tratamento de úlceras digitais na esclerose sistêmica: série de casos de 13 doentes e análise crítica dos resultados

Summary Introduction: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), digital ulcers (DU) are debilitating and recurrent. They are markers of prognosis and are associated with disability and mortality. Treatment strategies have been developed to block the proposed mechanisms of this complication. Objective: Clinical description of a population of SSc patients with DU, treatment, complications and outcome. Method: Analysis of 48 SSc patients meeting 2013 ACR-EULAR criteria, followed between 1999-2015; 13 patients had DU. Treatment protocol applied included cycles of 21 days of alprostadil, which can be repeated in the absence of DU healing. After DU healing, bosentan was initiated. Results: DU healing was achieved with intravenous prostanoid in 12 patients; seven patients required repeated treatment for DU healing. Twelve patients were later treated with bosentan; three of them experienced recurrence of DU, while one was anti-B2-GPI positive. Four patients had soft tissue loss and three other suffered digital amputation, these being late diagnosis. Conclusion: Younger patients and early referrals had better outcomes. Endothelin receptor antagonist toxicity should be monitored, particularly in patients previously exposed to hepatotoxic drugs.

Resumo Introdução: As úlceras digitais (UD) são complicações incapacitantes e recorrentes, associadas a menor qualidade de vida e maior mortalidade na esclerose sistêmica (ES). O tratamento baseia-se em antagonizar os mecanismos fisiopatológicos em causa. Objetivo: Descrever uma amostra de doentes com diagnóstico de ES e UD, o tratamento, as complicações e os resultados clínicos. Método: Série de 48 casos diagnosticados com ES, critérios de classificação ACR-EULAR 2013, seguidos entre 1999 e 2015, dos quais 13 apresentavam UD. O protocolo aplicado incluía ciclos de 21 dias de alprostadil podendo ser repetidos no caso de não existir cicatrização. Nos casos em que houve cicatrização foi iniciado bosentano. Resultados: No tratamento das UD, 12 doentes realizaram prostaciclina endovenosa, com necessidade de tratamentos repetidos em sete doentes. Doze doentes foram posteriormente tratados com bosentano, com recorrência de UD em três doentes, um deles com presença de anti-B2-GPI. Quatro doentes ficaram com cicatrizes e em três houve amputação digital, sendo casos de diagnóstico tardio. Conclusão: Os doentes mais jovens tiveram melhores resultados, possivelmente em razão de melhorias globais nos cuidados de saúde prestados e de referenciação precoce. A toxicidade dos antagonistas dos receptores da endotelina deve ser monitorizada, sobretudo em doentes com exposição prévia a drogas hepatotóxicas.

Linfadenite recorrente. Caso clínico / Recurrent lymphadenitis. Case report

A imunodeficiência de variável comum é uma imunodeficiência primária de apresentação heterogênea, consistindo em um défice em imunoglobulinas. É caracterizada por infeções de repetição e predisposição para doenças autoimunes, granulomatosas e neoplásicas. Os autores apresentam o caso clínico de um doente com imunodeficiência comum variável manifestada por infeções cutâneas de repetição e linfadenite recorrente. Este caso tem como objetivo alertar para os aspetos clínicos desta imunodeficiência, a fim de permitir seu diagnóstico precoce, evitando-se prognósticos desfavoráveis.(AU)

Common variable immunodeficiency is a primary immunodeficiency with a heterogeneous presentation, characterized by decreased immunoglobulin levels. It is characterized by recurrent infections, predisposition to autoimmune, granulomatous and neoplastic diseases. The authors report a case of a patient with common variable immunodeficiency and history of skin infections and recurrent lymphadenitis. This case report aims to draw the attention to the clinical aspects of this immunodeficiency, in order to promote an early diagnosis, avoiding poor outcomes.(AU)