The Role of IL-17 in the Human Immune System and Its Blockage as a Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) functions as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immunity. In addition to being a crucial defense mechanism against extracellular pathogens, it plays a significant role in inflammation, therefore considered a decisive factor in inflammatory conditions; hence the importance of its understanding for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Animal models have demonstrated that blockage of the IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) may prevent these pathologies. For instance, there is evidence that IL-17R-deficient mice may be protected against the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Furthermore; inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PSA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with IL-17, and therapeutically targeting this inflammatory pathway could improve patients' outcomes. The discovery and subsequent studies of this interleukin have aided in the understanding of the immune system, and its potential therapeutic blockage provokes optimism for the treatment of these distressing conditions. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):539-542.

Recovery of nail dystrophy potential new therapeutic indication of tofacitinib.

Nail dystrophy is a heterogeneous skin condition and in some subtypes, is associated with autoimmune diseases in particular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In this report, we show that tofacitinib, a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, appears to be beneficial in patients with nail disease refractory to other conventional modes of therapy.

Fracturas vertebrales morfométricas y su relación con 25 OH vitamina D, índice de masa corporal y edad en mujeres seniles / Morphometric vertebral fractures and their relationship with 25 OH-vitamin D, body mass index, and age in elderly women

Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de fracturas vertebrales morfométricas y su relación con 25 OH vitamina D, índice de masa corporal y edad en mujeres seniles. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal. Se analizaron 319 mujeres seniles, provenientes del estudio "Salud osteomuscular del anciano". La determinación de fracturas vertebrales morfométricas se realizó de manera radiográfica, en tanto que los niveles de 25 OH vitamina D se midieron por inmunoanálisis por quimioluminiscencia (CLIA) Liaison* 25 OH vitamina D Total Assay Ref 310600, utilizando el equipo Diasorin Liaison* Analyzer. El índice de masa corporal se obtuvo, según las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, como el peso en kilogramos sobre la talla en metros al cuadrado; la edad fue verificada con el documento de identidad y el ingreso del mismo a las bases de datos nacionales (SISPRO-FOSYGA). Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 74,3 arios (DE ± 7,2). La prevalencia global de fracturas fue de 17,9%; así mismo, el 54,9% de las participantes tenía valores entre 20 y 29ng/ml de 25 OH vitamina D y el 58,9% tenía valores de índice de masa corporal inferior a 25 kg/m². El promedio de 25 OH vitamina D fue inferior en las participantes fracturadas (19,7 vs. 25,1) (p<0,05); el índice de masa corporal también fue menor en las fracturadas (23,5 vs. 24,6) (p>0,05), pero la edad fue mayor: 78,9 vs. 73,4 (p<0,05). Al comparar los promedios de 25 OH vitamina D en participantes fracturadas y no fracturadas, se encontraron niveles significativamente menores de 25 OH vitamina D en las participantes con fractura mayores de 69 años, y al considerar el índice de masa corporal, los valores de 25 OH vitamina D fueron significativamente inferiores en cada una de las categorías de las participantes con fractura. Conclusión: Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre poseer fracturas vertebrales morfométricas y tener: 1) niveles bajos de 25 OH vitamina D, 2) mayor edad, y 3) menor índice de masa corporal.

Objective: To determine the presence of morphometric vertebral fractures, as well as their relationship with 25 OH vitamin D, body mass index, and age in elderly women. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 319 elderly women from the study 'Musculoskeletal Health in the Elderly'. The morphometric determination of vertebral fractures was performed with radiography, while the levels of 25 OH vitamin D were determined by the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) method using the Liaison® 25 OH Vitamin D Total Assay 25 (Ref 310 600), using the Liaison® Analyser. The body mass index was obtained as recommended by the World Health Organisation; weight in kilograms over height in metres squared. The age of the participants was verified by their identity card, and their income details from the national data bases (SISPRO-FOSYGA). Results: The mean age was 74.3 years (SD ± 7.2). The overall prevalence of fractures was 17.9%; 54.9% of participants had values between 20 and 29ng/ml 25 OH vitamin D, and 58.9% had body mass index values less than 25 kg/m². The mean 25 OH vitamin D was lower in participants with fractures (19.7 vs. 25.1) (P < .05). Body mass index was also lower in those with fractures (23.5 vs. 24.6) (P < .05), but age was higher: 78.9 vs. 73.4 (P < .05). When comparing the mean levels of 25 OH vitamin D in fractured and non-fractured participants, significantly lower levels of 25 OH vitamin D were found in participants with fractures over 69 years-old, and on comparing the body mass index, the values of 25 OH vitamin D were significantly lower in each of the categories of participants with a fracture. Conclusion: A statistically significant relationship was found between morphometric vertebral fractures and: 1) low levels of 25 OH vitamin D, 2) being older and, and 3) a lower body mass index.

Caracterización clínica de sujetos infectados con virus chikungunya, en una población del Caribe colombiano / Clinical profile of patients infected with the chikungunya virus in a Colombian Caribbean population

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar clínicamente una población infectada con el virus chikungunya. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo longitudinal, prospectivo con 109 pacientes remitidos a consulta externa o urgencia, de la Fundación Hospital Universitario Metropolitano de Barranquilla, para realizar confirmación serológica, previo diagnóstico clínico de infección por virus chikungunya, por reumatólogos del Centro de Reumatología y Ortopedia. Los pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado serológicamente se sometieron a pruebas inmunológicas para diagnóstico diferencial con artritis reumatoide. RESULTADOS: Se realizó diagnóstico serológico por ELISA para virus chikungunya anti-IgG y anti-IgM; ninguno resultó positivo para anticuerpo antichikungunya tipo IgM, mientras que 109 fueron positivos para anticuerpo antichikungunya tipo IgG. El rango de edad fue de 22 a 82 años. Las principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron: 1. dolor localizado: manos: 82%, tobillos con afectación articular: 82%, pies: 72%, cabeza: 69%, espalda: 61%, codos: 57%. 2. Dolor en distintas articulaciones: 76%, músculos: 72%. 3. Edema: región periarticular: 55%, 4. Otra sintomatología de interés clínico: manifestaciones cutáneas: 53%, fiebre: 89%, rash: 5%, náuseas: 31% e incapacidad laboral: 19%.CONCLUSIONES: Los signos y síntomas presentados por los sujetos con chikungunya tienen un amplio componente reumatológico. El compromiso articular en las fases agudas y subagudas semeja el comportamiento de la artritis reumatoide, más no así el compromiso en la fase crónica. No hubo reacción autoinmunitaria y por tanto no se puede clasificar como proceso de tipo artritis reumatoide

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile of patients infected with the chikungunya virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive longitudinal, prospective study on 109 individuals referred to the outpatient or emergency department of the Fundación Hospital Universitario Metropolitano de Barranquilla for serological confirmation, after being previously diagnosed with chikungunya virus infection by rheumatologists from the Rheumatology and Orthopaedics Centre. Patients with serologically confirmed diagnosis underwent immunological test for differential diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: ELISA test were performed to serologically diagnose chikungunya virus, IgG and IgM antibodies. No chikungunya IgM test was positive, while 109 were positive for chikungunya IgG antibody. The age range was 22 to 82 years. The main clinical manifestations were: 1. localised pain in the hands: 82%, ankles joints: 82%, feet: 72%, headache 69%, back: 61%, and elbow: 57%.2. Pain in other joints: 76%, and muscles 72%.3. Peri-articular swelling: 55%.4. Other symptoms of clinical interest: cutaneous manifestations: 53%, fever 89%, rash: 5%, nausea 31%, and incapacity: 19%. CONCLUSIONS: Most signs and symptoms presented by patients with chikungunya have an extensive rheumatological component that merits further study. The joint compromise in acute and subacute phase resembles the behaviour of rheumatoid arthritis, but not so similarly in the chronic phase. There was no autoimmune reaction, and therefore can not be classified as a type of Rheumatoid process

Beyond the bull's eye: Recognizing Lyme disease.

A rash occurs in 80% of Lyme disease cases, but only about a third of the rashes develop into a classic bull's-eye lesion. Here's what to look for and how best to treat.