Successful treatment of eosinophilic otitis media associated with severe bronchial asthma with an anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody,mepolizumab

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM), which is characterized by the accumulation of eosinophils in middle ear effusion and the middle ear mucosa, is a refractory type of otitis media that is often associated with asthma. Although an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary to prevent the progression of hearing loss in patients with EOM, there are currently no well-established treatments for this condition. We treated a 60-year-old male patient with asthma and EOM. The patient’s asthma was poorly controlled, despite the use of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonist treatment, and the regular use of systemic corticosteroids. Mepolizumab, an anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody, was started to treat the patient’s refractory asthma. At 4 months after the initiation of mepolizumab treatment, the patient’s asthma, hearing, and middle ear effusion improved. The present case suggests that mepolizumab therapy can control EOM and asthma.     

鼻息肉中活化糖皮质激素受体的定量分析

目的测量鼻息肉（nasal polyps,NP）组织细胞核中活化的糖皮质激素受体（glucocorticoid receptor,GR）蛋白水平。方法应用ELlSA方法定量测定NP组织细胞核内活化的GR的蛋白水平。NP组织从不并发支气管哮喘和并发支气管哮喘的（chronic rhinosinusitis,CRS）伴NP患者中取得。在后者,NP组织在（glucocorticoid,Glu）治疗前和治疗后分次取得。结果不并发支气管哮喘和并发支气管哮喘Glu治疗前的CRS伴NP患者中,活化GR蛋白水平没有显著性差异。Glu治疗后,GIu蛋白水平较治疗前显著增高。结论Glu上调NP组织细胞核内活化的GR蛋白水平,这对于发挥Glu的抗炎作用至关重要。     

Diagnostic Value of Positive Findings of Toxoplasma gondii-Specific Immunoglobulin M Serum Antibody in Uveitis Patients to Confirm Ocular Toxoplasmosis

Purpose: To assess the value of positive immunoglobulin (Ig) M serum antibody (Ab) findings in uveitis patients.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients who had a positive serological test for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM Ab. Their clinical data, including history, demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical findings, treatment outcomes, and recurrences, were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Of 2919 uveitis patients who underwent a serological test for suspected ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), 18 presented with positive Ig M results. All 18 patients (100.0% specificity) were clinically diagnosed with OT. None had any retinochoroidal scar at the initial visit, indicating the OT was a recent and primary infection. However, 15 patients (83.3%) had no history suspected to account for the Toxoplasma transmission.

Conclusions: The T. gondii IgM serum Ab is a specific biomarker for diagnosis of primary OT. Epidemiological studies are warranted to investigate the non-classic transmission routes of T. gondii in OT.