Infection Risk in Patients with Dermatomyositis Associated with Anti-MDA5 Antibodies: A Historical Cohort Study

Uncommon concurrent pulmonary infections: Aspergillus fumigatus and Lomentospora prolificans in an Anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis patient

A 59-year-old female with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis was treated with prednisolone, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide, tofacitinib, and plasma exchange. Five months post-treatment, elevated β-D-glucan levels and a pulmonary shadow on CT were noted. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified, leading to voriconazole initiation. A new pulmonary cavity lesion later revealed Lomentospora prolificans. Considering voriconazole resistance, terbinafine was added, resulting in clinical improvement. Vigilant infection monitoring is crucial during anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis treatment.

The Role of Toxicology Investigations in Overdose Deaths

Overdose involves the administration of one or more narcotic substances in quantities exceeding the body's tolerance threshold, leading to toxic effects ranging from mild to fatal. The clinical manifestations of an overdose vary depending on the toxic substance's specific molecular action, such as stimulation or suppression of the nervous system. Common toxic agents include synthetic opioids like fentanyl, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids. This study emphasizes the critical role of forensic toxicology in identifying overdose deaths, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of toxicity, post-mortem redistribution, and the interpretation of toxicological findings. Advanced methodologies such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are discussed as pivotal tools for identifying toxic substances and their metabolites. Biological matrices such as blood, urine, vitreous humor, and organ tissues are evaluated for their utility in toxicological investigations. Accurate interpretation of results informs not only the cause of death but also patterns of substance abuse, contributing to the development of preventive strategies. This study highlights the growing complexity of psychoactive substances, emphasizing the necessity for precise and innovative toxicological techniques in forensic practice.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis: Prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To depict the clinical panorama of spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) in anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+ DM).

METHODS

A total of 1352 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), including 384 anti-MDA5+ DM patients were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical profiles of anti-MDA5+ DM-associated SPM were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified that 9.4 % (36/384) of anti-MDA5+ DM patients were complicated with SPM, which was significantly higher than that of non-anti-MDA5+ DM and other IIM subtypes (P all <0.001). SPM developed at a median of 5.5 (3.0, 12.0) months after anti-MDA5+ DM onset. Anti-MDA5+ DM patients complicated with SPM showed a significantly higher frequency of fever, dyspnea, and pulmonary infection including viral and fungal infections compared to those without SPM (P all < 0.05). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and fungal infections were identified to be independent risk factors for SPM development in the anti-MDA5+ DM. SPM and non-SPM patients in our anti-MDA5+ DM cohort showed comparable short-term and long-term survival (P = 0.236). Furthermore, in the SPM group, we found that the non-survivors had a lower peripheral lymphocyte count, higher LDH level, and higher frequency of intensification of immunosuppressive treatment (IST) than survivors. The elevated LDH level and intensification of IST were independent risk factors for increased mortality in anti-MDA5+ DM-associated SPM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one-tenth of patients with anti-MDA5+ DM develop SPM. Both CMV and fungal infections are risk factors for SPM occurrence. The development of SPM does not worsen the prognosis of anti-MDA5+ DM patients, and the intensification of IST does harm to the SPM prognosis.

Pyomyositis Secondary to Localized Cellulitis in a Dermatomyositis Patient: A Case Report and Review of Infectious Complications in Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by proximal muscle weakness and distinct cutaneous features. Unfortunately, infection is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with DM. Here, we present a case of pyomyositis in a patient with DM resulting from localized cellulitis. The patient also presented with subcutaneous calcification nodules and dermatomyositis-associated lipodermatosclerosis nodules. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of pyomyositis in patients with DM to date. Furthermore, we reviewed the infectious complications related to DM and polymyositis (PM). We found that idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients exhibit a considerable infection-related mortality rate, ranging from 4.3% to 7.2%. In IIM, infections were identified as the primary cause of mortality in a substantial proportion of cases, accounting for 22.0-83.3% of deaths. These findings have implications for the importance of identifying and managing infections in IIM patients and suggest the need for further research into infection-related complications in these patients.