ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This report describes the results of a clinic-based study conducted to verify a community-reported excess prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a possible connection between ethnicity and environmental factors in the reporting of SLE in the United States-Mexico border town of Nogales, Arizona. A community group in Nogales reported 37 cases of SLE in its community, suggesting a prevalence rate of 200 per 100,000. This report describes 19 definite and 7 probable cases of SLE using the 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria. All definite and probable cases were self-identified, Mexican-American females. This yields a prevalence rate of 94 per 100,000, among the highest reported to date. The majority of cases resided within 3 miles of the United States-Mexico border and within 1 mile of the polluted Nogales Wash or ground wells with documented toxins.It remains to be determined whether this confirms that SLE is more common in Mexican-Americans or whether environmental factors, especially pollutants, are predominantly responsible. In addition to the need to be aware about the apparent increased risk of SLE in many Latin-Americans, clinicians should ask about possible environmental factors.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the inflammatory process and has been implicated in several autoimmune disorders. This study was carried out prospectively to estimate the levels of nitrite and citrulline in the serum and urine, as surrogate markers of NO production, among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Forty-seven patients and 44 age- and sex-matched, healthy volunteers were studied. Nitrite and citrulline were measured in serum and urine by spectrophotometry.Median serum nitrite and citrulline levels and urine citrulline levels were higher among patients as compared with controls (p< 0.05). Patients with skin involvement stood out and had higher median serum and urine citrulline levels (p< 0.05). Disease activity correlated with steroid dosage, serum nitrite levels, and serum and urine citrulline levels (p< 0.05). Steroid dosage correlated with serum citrulline level (p< 0.05). Serum and urine citrulline levels correlated with each other (p< 0.01). In the subset of 13 individuals with renal involvement, serum and urine citrulline levels correlated with each other (p< 0.01) as did urine nitrite and citrulline levels (p< 0.05).NO production is increased among patients with SLE, and this increase correlates with disease activity and dosage of steroids used. The addition of a urine test to measure NO production as a marker of disease activity using simple spectrophotometry can be a valuable adjunct to other tests, can obviate the need for drawing a blood sample for this purpose, and can be repeated as often as necessary.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most widely used antirheumatic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Whereas the hepatotoxicity of methotrexate is well recognized, the hematologic toxicity, namely, pancytopenia, is still a concern and is potentially fatal. We report two cases of early-onset methotrexate-induced pancytopenia that were successfully treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The pancytopenia improved with 3 days of administration. A review of the literature revealed at least 146 reported cases of MTX-induced pancytopenia. Significant risk factors for myelotoxicity included renal impairment, infection, and hypoalbuminemia. Successful management includes prompt discontinuation of MTX, intravenous folinic acid, high-dose steroids and, as in our case, G-CSF.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Pyomyositis is an uncommon condition that may present a difficult problem in diagnosis. We report the development ofStreptococcus pneumoniaepyomyositis involving the iliacus, iliopsoas, and gluteus muscles in a patient with elevated serum levels of antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies but without clinical evidence of connective tissue disease. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated rapid evolution of the infection, with progression from muscle edema to abscess formation over a period of 10 days. The diagnosis was initially missed, and osteomyelitis and sacroiliitis developed. Pyomyositis should be suspected in patients with the acute onset of severe, localized muscle pain and fever. As in this case, failure to promptly diagnose and treat this infection can result in significant morbidity.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Pulmonary involvement in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) has generally been on the basis of thromboembolism. We describe a patient with hemorrhagic alveolitis, a life-threatening complication that must also be considered. The patient was a 63-year-old Caucasian man who had a past history of recurrent deep vein thromboses as well as an arterial occlusion of the left popliteal artery and who developed hemorrhagic alveolitis and capillaritis at age 57 years, which was treated with long-term cyclophosphamide, steroids, and anticoagulation. Four years later, he had a recurrence of the same condition, and a positive lupus anticoagulant test was found. Severe thrombocytopenia, diagnosed as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, was treated with platelet transfusions and increasing steroid dosage. Hemorrhagic adrenal infarction supervened at this time, and a septicemic illness was treated with intravenous antibiotics.Diffuse alveolar pulmonary hemorrhage is an unusual complication of the APS that is being increasingly reported, and recognition of its possible fatal course is of great importance for the treating physician. Severe thrombocytopenia that could contribute to hemorrhage may also accompany the APS, but this is unusual.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Listeria monocytogenesusually causes meningitis or bacteremia, often in immunocompromised adults, pregnant women, or infants. We report a case of septic arthritis caused byL. monocytogenesin a patient with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) whose hip replacement was infected. She subsequently died, probably secondary to an adult respiratory distress syndrome, a rare complication of listerial infection. We also reviewed all 18 previously reported cases of septic arthritis caused byL. monocytogenes.The frequency of underlying RA, diabetes, neoplastic disease, and immunosuppressive therapy is prominent, as is the concurrent presence of a previous knee or hip replacement. Thus, the simultaneous presence of immune suppression and certain medical disorders or their treatment and a prosthetic joint should alert the clinician to the possibility thatL. monocytogenesis the offending microbial agent. In contrast, in immunocompetent persons the usual Gram-positive cocci such as staphylococci, streptococci, or even pneumococci predominate. Although the outcome of appropriate treatment with penicillin or ampicillin alone (or with an aminoglycoside or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in penicillin-allergic individuals) is usually favorable, complicating medical disorders can lead to death. Cephalosporins are rarely effective antimicrobial agents in patients with listeriosis.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Avascular necrosis of bone (osteonecrosis) that is atraumatic is most frequently associated with corticosteroid excess or alcoholism and usually involves the femoral head. We report a case of multifocal avascular necrosis in a 38-year-old woman with autoimmune Addison's disease taking corticosteroid replacement therapy. The onset of joint symptoms occurred 6 months after a pregnancy complicated by acute fatty liver and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Although both knees and ankles were involved, an unusual feature is that the hips were spared.As illustrated in this patient, avascular necrosis is frequently misdiagnosed in cases of joint pain of acute onset and may occur in the context of physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids. Etiologic factors can precede the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis by several months.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The observation of remission occurring in several rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who subsequently became infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suggested that these diseases are mutually exclusive. Subsequent case reports of progression of destructive rheumatoid arthritis, even with depleted CD4 cell counts, seemed to imply that active RA may be independent of CD4 lymphocyte number and function. We report an HIV-infected individual who developed rheumatoid arthritis, which rapidly worsened with the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The worsening disease course correlated with the increase in CD4 cell count and with the decrease in HIV viral load, perhaps suggesting a central role for the CD4 cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis in this particular patient.Among the therapeutic options to consider in such a patient, indomethacin and hydroxychloroquine may offer additional benefit of inhibiting viral replication. The cautious use of methotrexate with several limitations is possible, although sulfasalazine (to which our patient responded) may be a safer option.

ISSN:1076-1608    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2001

数据来源: OVID