Lack of specificity of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection

The use of a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-adalimumab-in the management of arthritis in an adolescent with HIV: A case report

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a myriad of musculoskeletal manifestations. Inflammatory arthritis has been described in association with HIV in both adults and children. Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, particularly tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), have been reported to manage inflammatory arthritis in adults with HIV when conventional therapy fails to control arthritis. In this report, we describe the management of arthritis and enthesitis in a 12-year-old adolescent male with HIV using the TNFi adalimumab. At the time of presentation, the patient was on highly active antiretroviral therapy for 1 year. His viral load was <40 copies/mL, and the CD4+ T-cell count was 1280 cells/mm3 . He had a positive antinuclear antibody and HLA-B27. Rheumatoid factor was negative. After screening for hepatitis B and C and latent tuberculosis, the patient was started on adalimumab. This report describes the successful control of recalcitrant arthritis and enthesitis in a pediatric patient with HIV infection using adalimumab.

Rheumatoid arthritis and HIV-associated arthritis: Two sides of the same coin or different coins

The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated arthritis is a complex one that was first described more than three decades ago. There are many similarities and some differences in the clinical presentations of both diseases. In addition, treatment options and long-term monitoring can be challenging in the presence of both disorders, as HIV causes an immunocompromised state and medications used to treat RA are immunosuppressive. In this chapter, we discuss the clinical presentation and the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in the management of these conditions.

Incident Rheumatoid Arthritis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Epidemiology and Treatment

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence, presentation, and management of RA in persons with HIV (PWH), including use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in this immunosuppressed population.

METHODS

Patients were included from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study, a longitudinal cohort of Veterans with HIV and matched uninfected Veterans. We identified patients with ≥1 rheumatologist-generated International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for RA and a measurement of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibodies. Charts were reviewed using the 2010 RA Classification Criteria to identify incident RA. We recorded use and adverse effects of DMARDs during the first contiguous (no interruption greater than 6 months) course.

RESULTS

We included 56,250 PWH and 116,944 uninfected persons over 2,384,541 person-years. Of 2,748 patients with an RA ICD code, incident RA was identified in 215 patients, including 21 PWH. The incidence rate ratio of RA in PWH vs. uninfected was 0.29 (95% CI 0.19-0.48). Most patients (88%) with RA were seropositive. However, high autoantibody titers were less common in PWH: 5% (1/21) of PWH had both high titer anti-CCP and RF, compared to 41% (82/194) of uninfected. DMARDs were prescribed for 71% (15/21) of PWH with RA, compared to 94% (183/194) of uninfected. Among 10 PWH prescribed DMARDs, we found no signal for worse infectious safety profile compared to 158 HIV-negative controls.

CONCLUSION

Incident RA was less common in PWH than in matched controls. PWH with incident RA had less positive autoantibody profiles than controls and were prescribed DMARDs less frequently.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Rheumatoid Factor and Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Protein Antibody-Positive Polyarthritis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 64-year-old male presented with a 6-month history of symmetric polyarthritis involving proximal interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the hands, wrists, and ankles. Associated symptoms included vomiting, progressive fatigue, and weight loss. Laboratory results showed microcytic anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (ACPA) antibody positivity. Joints radiographs were normal, without erosions. Upper endoscopy and gastric endoscopic ultrasonography showed a gastric adenocarcinoma with lymphatic involvement. Intraoperatively, peritoneal carcinomatosis was documented, and the patient started palliative chemotherapy. A paraneoplastic seropositive arthritis was assumed, and treatment with low-dose prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine was started. Arthritis remission was achieved and sustained up to 18 months of follow-up, although gastric cancer progression was documented. We describe a unique phenotype of paraneoplastic arthritis (PA) presenting as a seropositive (RF and ACPA positivity) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a good response to both low dose corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine therapy. We also review the literature of PA, mostly the RA-like pattern, and the association between PA and ACPA positivity. This case highlights the importance of considering underlying cancer in elderly male patients, presenting with polyarthritis and systemic symptoms, even in those with ACPA-positive RA-like arthritis.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV)-associated rheumatic manifestations in thepre- and post-HAART eras

Rheumatic manifestations remain an important clinical manifestation associated to HIV. To date after 4 decades of the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, almost 37 million individuals are living with the infection, including close to 2 million of newly infected individuals. The status, however, of a considerable proportion of HIV/AIDS patients has changed from a near fatal disorder secondary to opportunistic infections to a chronic disease in which renal cardiovascular, diabetes, malignancy, and autoimmune co-morbid disorders have become prevalent and relevant. In addition, the spectrum of rheumatic disorders also has changed since the introduction of HAART and its diagnosis and treatment represents a challenge. The purpose of this review is to define and discuss the HIV-related rheumatic manifestations in the pre- and post-HAART eras.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Spectrum of Rheumatic Manifestations

Emerging and reemerging viral infections have been a characteristic feature of the past several decades, with HIV infection being the most important example of an emergent viral infection. To date, the status of a considerable proportion of HIV/AIDS patients has changed from a near-fatal disorder secondary to opportunistic infections to a chronic disease in which a variety of co-morbid conditions have become prevalent and relevant. Arthralgia and myalgias are the most common symptoms. The rate of spondyloarthritis varies according to the geographic area, genetic and mode of transmission. Most RA and SLE patients might go into remission after the development of AIDS, but also there are patients that continue with active disease. Prevalence of DILS is highest among African Americans in less advanced stages. PAN is clinically less aggressive and peripheral neuropathy is the most common clinical manifestation. Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), systemic sclerosis and poly-dermatomyositis are uncommon. After the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), a decline of spondyloarthritis disorders and of DILS and development of new syndromes such as IRIS, osteoporosis and avascular bone necrosis have occurred. The treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases and HIV infection remains a challenge.

A smart nanosensor for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus and associated cardiovascular and arthritis diseases using functionalized graphene-based transistors

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which isa worldwide public health issue, is commonly associated with cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A smart nanosensor was developed for the detection of HIV and its related diseases (CVDs and RA) using graphene-based field-effect transistors (FETs). In this study, amine-functionalized graphene (afG) was conjugated with antibodies [anti-p24 for HIV, anti-cardiac troponin 1 (anti-cTn1) for CVDs, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) for RA] to detect various biomarkers. The antibodies were covalently conjugated to afG via carbodiimide activation. The bioconjugate (graphene-antibody) was characterized by various biophysical techniques such as UV-Vis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical performance of the sensor was evaluated with respect to changes in the resistance of the electrode surface due to the interaction of the antigen with its specific antibody. The developed sensor was highly sensitive and showed a linear response to p24, cTn1, and, CCP from 1 fg/mL to 1 μg/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) was 100 fg/mL for p24 and 10 fg/mL for cTn1 and CCP under standard optimized conditions. The graphene-based smart nanodevice demonstrated excellent performance; thus, it could be used for the on-site detection of HIV, CVD, and RA biomarkers in real samples.

Distinct systemic microbiome and microbial translocation are associated with plasma level of anti-CD4 autoantibody in HIV infection

Microbial signals have been linked to autoantibody induction. Recently, we found that purified anti-CD4 autoantibodies from the plasma of chronic HIV-1-infected patients under viral-suppressed antiretroviral therapy (ART) play a pathologic role in poor CD4+ T cell recovery. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of systemic microbiome and anti-CD4 autoantibody production in HIV. Plasma microbiome from 12 healthy controls and 22 HIV-infected subjects under viral-suppressed ART were analyzed by MiSeq sequencing. Plasma level of autoantibodies and microbial translocation (LPS, total bacterial 16S rDNA, soluble CD14, and LPS binding protein) were analyzed by ELISA, limulus amebocyte assay, and qPCR. We found that plasma level of anti-CD4 IgGs but not anti-CD8 IgGs was increased in HIV+ subjects compared to healthy controls. HIV+ subjects with plasma anti-CD4 IgG > 50 ng/mL (high) had reduced microbial diversity compared to HIV+ subjects with anti-CD4 IgG ≤ 50 ng/mL (low). Moreover, plasma anti-CD4 IgG level was associated with elevated microbial translocation and reduced microbial diversity in HIV+ subjects. The Alphaproteobacteria class was significantly enriched in HIV+ subjects with low anti-CD4 IgG compared to patients with high anti-CD4 IgG even after controlling for false discovery rate (FDR). The microbial components were different from the phylum to genus level in HIV+ subjects with high anti-CD4 IgGs compared to the other two groups, but these differences were not significant after controlling for FDR. These results suggest that systemic microbial translocation and microbiome may associate with anti-CD4 autoantibody production in ART-treated HIV disease.

Assessment and management of musculoskeletal disorders among patients living with HIV

HIV is a global pandemic. However, anti-retroviral therapy has transformed the prognosis and, providing compliance is good, a normal life expectancy can be anticipated. This has led to increasing numbers of people with chronic prevalent, treated infection living to older ages. Musculoskeletal pain is commonly reported by HIV patients and, with resumption of near-normal immune function, HIV-infected patients develop inflammatory rheumatic diseases that require assessment and management in rheumatology clinics. Moreover, it is becoming apparent that avascular necrosis and osteoporosis are common comorbidities of HIV. This review will contextualize the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in HIV, informed by data from a UK-based clinic, and will discuss the management of active inflammatory rheumatic diseases among HIV-infected patients taking anti-retroviral therapy, highlighting known drug interactions.

Autoimmune diseases and HIV infection: A cross-sectional study

To describe the clinical manifestations, treatments, prognosis, and prevalence of autoimmune diseases (ADs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.All HIV-infected patients managed in the Infectious Diseases Department of the Lyon University Hospitals, France, between January 2003 and December 2013 and presenting an AD were retrospectively included.Thirty-six ADs were found among 5186 HIV-infected patients which represents a prevalence of 0.69% including immune thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 15), inflammatory myositis (IM) (n = 4), sarcoidosis (n = 4), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (n = 4), myasthenia gravis (n = 2), Graves' disease (n = 2), and 1 case of each following conditions: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, Hashimoto thyroiditis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. One patient presented 2 ADs. Thirty patients were known to be HIV-infected when they developed an AD. The AD preceded HIV infection in 2 patients. GBS and HIV infection were diagnosed simultaneously in 3 cases. At AD diagnosis, CD4 T lymphocytes count were higher than 350/mm in 63% of patients, between 200 and 350/mm in 19% and less than 200/mm in 19%. Twenty patients benefited from immunosuppressant treatments, with a good tolerance.ADs during HIV infection are uncommon in this large French cohort. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, sarcoidosis, IM, and GBS appear to be more frequent than in the general population. Immunosuppressant treatments seem to be effective and well tolerated.

Rheumatoid arthritis in patients with HIV: management challenges

Over the past few decades, HIV has been transformed from a once-uniformly fatal disease to now a manageable but complex multisystem illness. Before highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), reports suggested that HIV-infected patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would experience remission of their disease. It has now become clear that RA can develop in HIV-infected patients at any time, independent of HAART. Choosing the right medication to treat symptoms related to RA while avoiding excess weakening of the immune system remains a clinical challenge. Agents such as hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine might best balance safety with efficacy, making them reasonable first choices for therapy in HIV-infected patients with RA. More immune suppressing agents such as methotrexate may balance safety with efficacy, but data are limited. Corticosteroids such as prednisone may also be reasonable but could increase the risk of osteonecrosis. Among biologic response modifiers, tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors may balance safety with efficacy, but perhaps when HIV replication is controlled with HAART. Monitoring RA disease activity remains challenging as only one retrospective study has been published in this area. Those with HIV infection and RA can experience comorbidities such as accelerated heart disease and osteoporosis, a consequence of the chronic inflammatory state that each illness generates. Although HIV-infected patients are at risk for developing the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome when starting HAART, it appears that immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has a minimal effect on triggering the onset or the worsening of RA.

Inflammatory arthritis in HIV positive patients: A practical guide

Background

Musculoskeletal manifestations of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been described since the outset of the global HIV epidemic. Articular syndromes that have been described in association with HIV include HIV-associated arthropathy, seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SPA) (reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and undifferentiated SPA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and painful articular syndrome.

Methods

We carried out a computer-assisted search of PubMed for the medical literature from January 1981 to January 2015 using the keywords HIV, acquired immune-deficiency syndrome, rheumatic manifestations, arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, anti-TNF and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Only English language literature was included and only studies involving adult human subjects were assessed.

Results

There are challenges in the management of inflammatory arthritis in patients who are HIV-positive, including difficulties in the assessment of disease activity and limited information on the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in these individuals.

Conclusions

This review focuses on the clinical characteristics of the inflammatory articular syndromes that have been described in association with HIV infection and discusses the therapeutic options for these patients.

Evolving spectrum of HIV-associated rheumatic syndromes

At the end of 2013, 35 million people worldwide were infected with HIV. The prognosis of HIV has been transformed by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Providing compliance is good, the use of cART has normalised the life expectancy of HIV-infected people leading to a growing population of people with chronic infection. Management of HIV patients has therefore needed to adapt in order to not only control viral activity but also manage long-term complications of HIV and cART. Rheumatological manifestations of HIV were first described in 1989. Since then, there have been case reports, case series and epidemiological studies describing different clinical manifestations of HIV in the musculoskeletal system. This review will encompass musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory arthritis in HIV. We will aim to report on the prevalence of these conditions and the risk factors, explore the impact of the virus on the clinical presentations and discuss implications for diagnosis and management.

Travel- and immigration-related problems in rheumatology

Health problems are self-reported by up to 64% of travellers to the developing world. Traditionally, rheumatic symptoms are accorded little significance, but many travellers do return home with musculoskeletal complaints. The assessment of these patients is often hindered by the Western clinician's lack of familiarity with the types of infections that the patient may have encountered while travelling. Standard serological tests for autoimmune diseases can be unreliable in the setting of concomitant tropical infection, and these infections themselves can have musculoskeletal manifestations. Even in the absence of tropical infection, laboratory investigation of musculoskeletal symptoms in individuals of different ethnicities is challenging due to genetic and physiological variation. This review focusses on addressing the impact global migration has had on rheumatological clinical practice.

HIV/AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic has since spread to affect all countries. The interface of HIV/AIDS with opportunistic infectious diseases is well characterized, but further research is required into the concurrence of other chronic diseases. The objective of this review was to identify possible interferences of HIV infection in the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A review of the available evidence was conducted using the GRADE approach. Overall, the quality of evidence was low. Our main conclusions were: (1) the occurrence of rheumatoid-like arthritis in patients with HIV/AIDS is quite rare; therefore, it is not recommended that HIV infection be considered routinely as a differential diagnosis in this condition (C2); (2) HIV infection may lead to rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody positivity, but usually at low titers (C1); (3) RA might cause false-positive HIV serology and ELISA seems to be a more specific test for HIV in patients with RA (C2); (4) RA and AIDS may coexist, even in cases of severe immunosuppression (C1); (5) RA emergence may seldom occur during or after immune reconstitution (C1); and (6) there is insufficient safety data to recommend use of specific disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in RA patients with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, these drugs should be used cautiously (C1).

Autoimmune diseases in HIV-infected patients: 52 cases and literature review

OBJECTIVES

1) To describe autoimmune diseases (AD) in HIV-infected people; and 2) to perform a literature review concerning this issue.

DESIGN

52 HIV-infected patients that presented an AD in 14 medical departments in Paris and Ile-de-France area were retrospectively included in this study.

RESULTS

The ADs were vasculitis (11), immune cytopenias (8), rheumatic diseases (8), lupus (7), sarcoidosis (7), thyroid diseases (6), hepatic diseases (5), and antiphospholipid syndrome (4). Four patients presented 2 ADs. In 5 patients the AD preceded HIV infection, in 14 HIV infection was diagnosed at the same time as the AD and 34 were HIV-infected when they developed an AD. 40 ADs (80%) occurred in patients with a CD4 T lymphocyte count of more than 200/mm(3). Cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurred only in patients severely immunodepressed. In five patients (a vasculitis case, a sarcoidosis case, three thyroid disease cases) the AD presented as a form of immune restoration inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Some ADs allowed HIV-infection diagnosis at a stage of moderate immune deficiency (vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, immune thrombocytopenia). 37 patients received immunosuppressant treatments with good tolerance. These results confirm in a large series of patients previous data concerning autoimmune diseases occurrence in HIV-infected people.

CONCLUSION

In the HAART era, when HIV-infected people are treated more and more early, autoimmune diseases can occur, mainly at the phase of immunological recovery. HIV infection should not limit immunosuppressant treatment use.