Evolution of biomarkers of liver fibrosis and liver insufficiency in hepatitis C virus-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin and rituximab

Therapeutic options in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related vasculitis may target the viral trigger using antiviral therapy [pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV)], and/or the downstream B-cell arm of autoimmunity with rituximab (RTX). To date, no study has compared the efficacy of RTX combined with PEG-IFN/RBV on biomarkers of liver insufficiency in patients with severe liver fibrosis. Twenty-eight untreated HCV-related vasculitis patients with severe liver fibrosis (Metavir F3-F4) were included: 14 patients received RTX plus PEG-IFN/RBV and 14 patients PEG-IFN/RBV. The main clinical and biological data were recorded and compared at baseline, month 3 (M3), M12 and M24 of follow-up. Baseline epidemiological, clinical, virological and immunological features were similar between the groups. The virological response did not differ between cases and controls. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and HCV viral load did not increase in patients treated with RTX. Serum albumin levels increased in patients treated with RTX at M3 and M6 (108% and 111% of baseline value; P = 0.06 and P = 0.13), whereas it was stable in patients treated without RTX. FibroTest values decreased from 0.70 at baseline to 0.59 at M3 (P = 0.5) and returned to 0.69 at M24 in the RTX-PEG-IFN/RBV group, whereas they were stable in the PEG-IFN/RBV group. RTX is safe in patients with severe HCV liver fibrosis and vasculitis. No beneficial effects of RTX were evidenced on liver fibrosis progression, but we found interesting correlations with the serum albumin level, FibroTest values and B-cell count.     

Anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated systemic vasculitis: nature or nurture?

This review examines the environmental and genetic contributions to the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated systemic vasculitides. The dominant environmental risk factors appear to be silica exposure for all three syndromes, and vitamin D deficiency is strongly suggested by the latitude and ultraviolet radiation gradient observed for Wegener's granulomatosis and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Genetic factors are generally not very strong, consistent with the rarity of these conditions in children. However, multiple genetic factors, each with a relatively small effect, may combine to create a state of susceptibility towards autoimmunity. With infection as a triggering agent, it is possible to synthesise a pathogenetic hypothesis that accounts for both environmental and genetic effects in regard to both necrotising vasculitis and granuloma formation.     

Sjogren's Syndrome Complicated with IgA Nephropathy and Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

We report a case of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis and IgA nephropathy. The accurate diagnosis of SS was established based on objective signs and symptoms of ocular and oral dryness, a characteristic appearance of a biopsy sample from a minor salivary gland, and the presence of anti-SS-A autoantibody. A second autoimmune disorder was not present, so the diagnosis of primary SS was established. A histologic finding of skin biopsy of purpuric lesion was typical for leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Renal biopsy was performed for nephrotic range proteinuria. The pathologic finding of renal biopsy was IgA glomerulonephritis with crescent formation. The patient was treated with small doses of glucocorticoids and maintenance hemodialysis. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is one of the most characteristic extraglandular manifestations of SS. However, IgA nephropathy associated with SS and leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a rare finding. SS patients with glomerulonephritis present a more diverse outcome, even requiring hemodialysis. Therefore, renal biopsy is warranted in SS with glomerulonephritis and systemic vasculitis.     

Vasculite testicular – uma manifestação rara de artrite reumatoide

Testicular vasculitis is a very rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe the case of a 53-year-old man diagnosed with RA for eight years, who was poorly controlled and developed rheumatoid vasculitis, which manifested as leg ulcers and peripheral polyneuropathy. The patient also had acute neutrophilic meningitis and was treated with antibiotics and intravenous pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (500 mg daily) for three days, followed by oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg daily) and prednisone. Overall improvement was observed, and the patient was discharged. But 15 days later, the meningitis recurred, and the patient was readmitted and treated again with antibiotics. Three days later, he developed pain and enlargement of his left testicle with gangrene. Unilateral orchiectomy was performed, revealing lymphocytic vasculitis. The patient died two days later due to aspiration pneumonia. This case illustrates a rare and severe manifestation of rheumatoid vasculitis.     

TLR5 rs2072493 A/G基因多态性与广西人群抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关性小血管炎的关系

目的 探讨TLR5 rs2072493 A/G基因多态性与广西人群抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)相关性小血管炎(AAV)的关联性.方法 采用PCR-RFLP法检测117例AAV患者(AAV组)及207例健康成人(对照组)的TLR5 rs207249基因型,采用病例-对照研究并行临床和病理资料分析.结果 (1)AAV组患者TLR5rs2072493基因多态性AA、AG、GG基因型频率分别为47.0％、41.0％、12.0％,对照组为50.2％、43.5％、6.3％;A和G基因分布:AAV组为67.5％、32.5％,对照组为72.0％、28.0％.两组基因型及等位基因频率比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(2)3种基因型间关节疼痛差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),以GG基因型最多发;尿酸、白蛋白、IgA比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),尿酸GG基因型明显低于AA和AG型,白蛋白、IgA GG基因型明显高于AA和AG型.(3)AAV组中有88例行肾穿活检,3种基因型患者间病理学评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 TLR5 rs2072493基因多态性在广西人群普遍存在,可能与AAV遗传易感性无关联,可能与关节痛、UA、Alb、IgA水平有关联.     

广西汉族人群Toll样受体91486T/C基因多态性与ANCA相关性小血管炎的相关性

目的 探讨广西汉族人群TLR9 1486T/C基因多态性与原发抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)相关性小血管炎(AAV)的相关性.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)检测116例AAV患者(AAV组)和209例性别、年龄相匹配的健康成人(对照组)TLR9 1486T/C位点多态性,并检测其血清生化指标.结果 AAV组与对照组TLR9 1486T/C位点基因型和等位基因分布比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).AAV患者三组基因型间尿素氮、肌酐、IgM水平比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).病理资料分析显示AAV患者三组基因型小血管炎活动指数及慢性指数差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 广西汉族人群中,TLR9 1486T/C基因多态性可能与尿素氮、肌酐、IgM升高具有相关性,可能与AAV的遗传易感性不相关.     

The avidity of PR3‐ANCA in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis during follow‐up

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the avidity of proteinase‐3‐anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3‐ANCA) changes during follow‐up in different subgroups of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). We selected 10 patients with renal relapsing GPA, 10 patients with renal non‐relapsing GPA and 10 patients with non‐renal relapsing GPA. In all patients, an ANCA rise occurred during remission. The avidity was measured using a chaotropic approach at the time of an ANCA rise and at the time of a relapse in relapsing patients or time‐matched during remission in non‐relapsing patients. No difference was observed in the avidity at the ANCA rise between renal relapsing patients [26·2% (15·5–47·5)], renal patients without a relapse [39·6% (21·2–63·4)] and non‐renal relapsing patients [34·2% (21·6–59·5)]. In renal relapsing patients, the avidity increased significantly from the moment of the ANCA rise to the relapse [difference 6·4% (0·0–17·1), P = 0·0273]. The avidity did not increase after an ANCA rise in renal non‐relapsing patients [difference 3·5 (?6·0 to 10·1), P = 0·6250] or in non‐renal relapsing patients [difference ?3·1% (?8·0 to 5·0), P = 0·5703]. The avidity of PR3‐ANCA increases after an ANCA rise during follow‐up in renal relapsing patients, but not after an ANCA rise in renal patients who remain in remission or in non‐renal relapsing patients.