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Dammacco R, Cimino L, De Simone L, Alessio G, Dammacco F. Ocular manifestations of cryoglobulinemia: a reappraisal. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:585-593. [PMID: 37813978 PMCID: PMC10858169 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02738-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES To describe frequency and type of ocular manifestations in patients with cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV), as well as management approaches and outcomes. SUBJECTS/METHODS This was a retrospective, observational, cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with CV at a single center and regularly underwent a comprehensive ocular assessment. RESULTS Ophthalmologic manifestations were recorded in 16 patients (28%). The diagnoses included dry eye disease and primary Sjögren syndrome in 5 and 2 patients, respectively; peripheral ulcerative keratitis and anterior scleritis in 1 patient each; hyperviscosity syndrome and hypertensive retinopathy in 2 patients each; and Purtscher- like retinopathy in 3 patients. Twelve patients (75%) were anti-HCV/HCV RNA-positive, 11 of whom achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) following treatment with interferon-α2b plus ribavirin or direct-acting antivirals. All patients were treated with ocular lubricants. Systemic therapeutic measures, including glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive and biologic agents, induced the disappearance or ≥50% reduction of cryoglobulins and major signs of vasculitis in 11 patients (68.7%). In the remaining 5 patients (31.3%), cryoglobulins and CV manifestations remained unchanged or decreased by <50%. The corresponding ophthalmologic assessment showed a variable degree of improvement in the ocular symptoms in all but 2 patients (87.5%). The best corrected visual acuity following treatment improved in 26 eyes, was unchanged in 3 eyes, and worsened in 3 eyes. CONCLUSIONS Eye involvement is not a rare event in CV patients. A timely diagnosis and the correct employment of the available therapeutic measures may result in a favorable outcome of the ocular and extra-ocular manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Dammacco
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Luca Cimino
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Ocular Immunology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luca De Simone
- Ocular Immunology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Alessio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Franco Dammacco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Impact of Interferon-Based Therapy on Hepatitis C-Associated Rheumatic Diseases: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040817. [PMID: 33671397 PMCID: PMC7922671 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection-associated risk of rheumatic diseases is reversed by anti-HCV therapy remain elusive. A nationwide population-based cohort study of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted. Of 19,298,735 subjects, 3 cohorts (1:4:4, propensity score-matched), including HCV-treated (6919 HCV-infected subjects with interferon and ribavirin therapy ≥ 6 months), HCV-untreated (n = 27,676) and HCV-uninfected (n = 27,676) cohorts, were enrolled and followed (2003–2015). The HCV-uninfected cohort had the lowest cumulative incidence of rheumatic diseases (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.416–10.734%), while HCV-treated (12.417–17.704%) and HCV-untreated (13.585–16.479%) cohorts showed no difference in the cumulative incidences. Multivariate analyses showed that HCV infection (95% CI hazard ratio (HR): 1.54–1.765), female sex (1.57–1.789), age ≥ 49 years (1.091–1.257), Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 1 (1.075–1.245), liver cirrhosis (0.655–0.916), chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (1.130–1.360), end-stage renal disease (0.553–0.98), diabetes mellitus (0.834–0.991) and dyslipidemia (1.102–1.304) were associated with incident rheumatic diseases. Among the 3 cohorts, the untreated cohort had the highest cumulative incidence of overall mortality, while the treated and un-infected cohorts had indifferent mortalities. Conclusions: HCV infection, baseline demographics and comorbidities were associated with rheumatic diseases. Although HCV-associated risk of rheumatic diseases might not be reversed by interferon-based therapy, which reduced the overall mortality in HCV-infected patients.
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Wang H. Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, Vaccination and Virus. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4579-4588. [PMID: 31820697 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191210155059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (Anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an acute autoimmune disorder. The symptoms range from psychiatric symptoms, movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. Previous studies revealed that vaccination might induce this disease. A few cases were reported to be related to H1N1 vaccine, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis and polio vaccine, and Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Although vaccination is a useful strategy to prevent infectious diseases, in a low risk, it may trigger serious neurological symptoms. In addition to anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, other neurological diseases were reported to be associated with a number of vaccines. In this paper, the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis cases related to a number of vaccines and other neurological symptoms that might be induced by these vaccines were reviewed. In addition, anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis cases that were induced by virus infection were also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiuying Wang
- Institute of Statistics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Wang H. Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Efficacy of Treatment for Male Patients and miRNA Biomarker. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4138-4151. [PMID: 29473497 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180221142623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an acute form of encephalitis. Treatments for the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis usually include steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, rituximab, cyclophosphamide and tumor resection. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the efficacy of the treatments including intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, rituximab or cyclophosphamide for male anti- NMDA receptor encephalitis patients without tumor and to discuss potential biomarkers for this disease. METHOD The Fisher exact test and the contingency table analysis were used to analyze the treatment efficacy for 43 male and 76 female patients. In addition, a hierarchical tree method was adopted to analyze the difference in the treatment efficacy between male and female patients. RESULTS The p-values of testing whether the efficacy rate of plasmapheresis (or plasma exchange) for the male patient is greater than a threshold are significantly different from the pvalues for the other two treatments. In addition, the hierarchical tree method shows that the treatment strategy associating with early recovery is different for male and female patients. CONCLUSION The results revealed that the efficacy rate of plasmapheresis (or plasma exchange) is not inferior to that of intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab (or cyclophosphamide) for male patients without tumor. In addition, B-cell attracting C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13) and microRNA let-7b have the potential to be the treatment response biomarkers for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. They may not be useful prognostic biomarkers for this encephalitis unless they are not biomarkers for other autoimmune encephalitides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiuying Wang
- Institute of Statistics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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Ferrari SM, Fallahi P, Ruffilli I, Elia G, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Patrizio A, Mazzi V, Colaci M, Giuggioli D, Ferri C, Antonelli A. Immunomodulation of CXCL10 Secretion by Hepatitis C Virus: Could CXCL10 Be a Prognostic Marker of Chronic Hepatitis C? J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:5878960. [PMID: 31485460 PMCID: PMC6702819 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5878960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 and other CXCR3 chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of acute and "chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection" (CHC). Here, we review the scientific literature about HCV and CXCL10. The combination of circulating CXCL10 and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-28B can identify patients with acute HCV infection most likely to undergo spontaneous HCV clearance and those in need of early antiviral therapy. In CHC, the HCV and intrahepatic interferon- (IFN-) γ drive a raised CXCL10 expression by sinusoidal endothelium and hepatocytes, thereby inducing the recruitment of CXCR3-expressing T cells into the liver; thus, CXCL10 plays an important role in the development of necroinflammation and fibrosis. Increased CXCL10 was significantly associated with the presence of active vasculitis in HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia, or with autoimmune thyroiditis in CHC. Pretreatment CXCL10 levels are predictive of early virological response and sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN-α and ribavirin and may be useful in the evaluation of candidates for therapy. The occurrence of SNPs adjacent to IL-28B (rs12979860, rs12980275, and rs8099917), and CXCL10 below 150 pg/mL, independently predicted the first phase viral decline and rapid virological response, which in turn independently predicted SVR. Directly acting antiviral agents-mediated clearance of HCV is associated with the loss of intrahepatic immune activation by IFN-α, associated by decreased levels of CXCL10. In conclusion, CXCL10 is an important marker of HCV clearance and successful therapy in CHC patients. Whether CXCL10 is a novel therapeutic target in CHC will be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Mazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Colaci
- Internal Medicine Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Clodoveo Ferri
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Sebastiani M, Milazzo L, Atzeni F, Vacchi C, Manfredi A, Quartuccio L, Scirè C, Gaeta GB, Lapadula G, Armignacco O, Tavio M, D'Angelo S, Meroni P, Bazzichi L, Grassi W, Mathieu A, Mastroianni C, Sagnelli E, Santantonio T, Foppa CU, Puoti M, Sarmati L, Airò P, Epis OM, Scrivo R, Gargiulo M, Riva A, Ciancio G, Zehender G, Taliani G, Meroni L, Sollima S, Sarzi-Puttini P, Galli M. Italian consensus recommendations for the management of hepatitis C infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2019; 29:895-902. [PMID: 30582388 DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2018.1558918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: The recent introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) which can eliminate Hepatitis C virus (HCV) had revolutionized the treatment of HCV infections also in a complex clinical setting such as the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HCV elimination is also opportune due to the availability of more efficient immunosuppressive drugs, whose effect on the course of HCV infection is largely unknown.Methods: Consensus process was endorsed by the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) and the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT) to review the available evidence and produce practical, hospital-wide recommendations. The consensus panel consisted of 18 infectious diseases consultants, 20 rheumatologists and one clinical epidemiologist, who used the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine to assess the quality of the evidence and the strength of their recommendations.Results: A core-set of statements about management of patients with RA and infection by HCV have been developed to help clinicians in their clinical practice.Conclusions: A screening for HCV should be performed in all RA patients and it is mandatory before starting an immunosuppressive therapy. Finally, a DAA treatment should be considered in all HCV-infected patients.Significance and InnovationsHCV antibodies should be investigated at the time of diagnosis of RA and, in any case, before starting immunosuppressive therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).HCV eradication with DAA should be attempted as soon as possible, depending on patient conditions allowing a continuous oral treatment lasting 8-12 weeksConventional and biological DMARDs are allowed in patients with HCV infection, but they should be used cautiously in presence of advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Sebastiani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Modena, Azienda Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Milazzo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Milano, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabiola Atzeni
- Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Vacchi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Modena, Azienda Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Andreina Manfredi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Modena, Azienda Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Quartuccio
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Rheumatology Clinic, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Carlo Scirè
- Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR), Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Gaeta
- Infectious Diseases and Viral Hepatitis Unit, Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lapadula
- Department of Medicine - Rheumatology Unit, Medical School, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Tavio
- Unit of Emerging and Immunosuppressed Infectious Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", Torrette Ancona, Italy
| | - Salvatore D'Angelo
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Meroni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Gaetano Pini Orthopedic Institute, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bazzichi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Walter Grassi
- Department of Rheumatology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedale "C. Urbani", Jesi Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mathieu
- Rheumatology Unit, University Clinic and AOU of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastroianni
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department Public Health and Infectious Disease, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Evangelista Sagnelli
- Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Uberti Foppa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Università Vita-Salute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, AO Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Clinical Infectious Diseases, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Airò
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Rossana Scrivo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties-Rheumatology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Gargiulo
- Third Department of Infectious Diseases- D. Cotugno Hospital- AORN dei Colli, Naple, Italy
| | - Agostino Riva
- Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ciancio
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Gloria Taliani
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department Public Health and Infectious Disease, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Meroni
- Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Galli
- Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Clinical practice: hepatitis C virus infection, cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Clin Exp Med 2018; 19:1-21. [PMID: 30430284 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-018-0536-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cryoglobulins are circulating immunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate at temperatures below 37 °C. Type-II cryoglobulins consist of monoclonal IgM/polyclonal IgG immune complexes (ICs), whereas in type-III cryoglobulins both IgM and IgG are polyclonal. The clinical condition resulting from the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood is called mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), which can be asymptomatic or manifest as cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV). Type-I cryoglobulins, consisting of a single monoclonal isotype, are detected in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. It is now established that > 90% of MCs are associated with HCV infection. Clinically, the spectrum of symptoms may range in severity from occasional purpuric eruptions to life-threatening features. In addition to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the possible progression of HCV-positive CV patients to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) has been reported. The pathogenetic role played by HCV infection in the onset of B-NHL is suggested by regression of the latter following the achievement of a sustained virologic response (SVR). For several years, interferon-α alone or combined with ribavirin has been the standard of care. However, the rates of clinical, biochemical, and virologic responses have been low, and the occurrence of relapse frequent. The addition of rituximab has resulted in a higher rate of responses. With the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents, SVR has been achieved in ~ 95% of CV patients. However, in a minority of patients, despite SVR, CV may persist or reappear over variable lengths of time from the completion of therapy. The eventual appearance of B-NHL is also possible.
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