9 research outputs found
COVID-19, immune system response, hyperinflammation and repurposing antirheumatic drugs
In the Wuhan Province of China, in December 2019, the novel coronavirus
2019 (COVID-19) has caused a severe involvement of the lower respiratory
tract leading to an acute respiratory syndrome. Subsequently,
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) provoked a pandemic which is considered a
life-threatening disease. The SARS-CoV-2, a family member of
betacoronaviruses, possesses single-stranded positive-sense RNA with
typical structural proteins, involving the envelope, membrane,
nucleocapsid and spike proteins that are responsible for the viral
infectivity, and nonstructural proteins. The effectual host immune
response including innate and adaptive immunity against SARS-Cov-2 seems
crucial to control and resolve the viral infection. However, the
severity and outcome of the COVID-19 might be associated with the
excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines ``cytokine storm{''}
leading to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. Regretfully, the
exact pathophysiology and treatment, especially for the severe COVID-19,
is still uncertain. The results of preliminary studies have shown that
immune-modulatory or immune-suppressive treatments such as
hydroxychloroquine, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 antagonists, commonly
used in rheumatology, might be considered as treatment choices for
COVID-19, particularly in severe disease. In this review, to gain better
information about appropriate anti-inflammatory treatments, mostly used
in rheumatology for COVID-19, we have focused the attention on the
structural features of SARS-CoV-2, the host immune response against
SARS-CoV-2 and its association with the cytokine storm
The Role of Endogenous Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid-Derived Resolvins in Systemic Sclerosis
Resolvins, the member of specialized pro-resolving mediators, are
produced from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a response to an
acute inflammatory process in that termination and resolution of
inflammation. In the acute inflammation, these lipid mediators limit
polymorphonuclear cells infiltration, proinflammatory cytokine
production; promote efferocytosis, and regulate several cell types being
important roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Any dysregulation or
defect of the resolution phase result in prolonged, persistent
inflammation and eventually fibrosis. Resolvins are implicated in the
development of various chronic autoimmune diseases. Systemic sclerosis
(SSc) is a very complicated, chronic autoimmune disorder proceeding with
vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis. Dysregulation of innate and
adaptive immunity is another important contributing factor in the
pathogenesis of SSc. In this review, we will focus on the different
roles of this new family of lipid mediators, characterized by the
ability to prevent the spread of inflammation and its chronicity in
various ways and how they can control the development of fibrotic
diseases like SSc
COVID-19 in Familial Mediterranean Fever: Clinical Course and Complications Related to Primary Disease.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) features on the clinical course and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and clinical course of FMF after COVID-19. METHODS: Consecutive FMF patients with COVID-19 were enrolled from three referral hospitals. Clinical features of FMF and detailed COVID-19 information were obtained from patient interviews and medical records. RESULTS: Seventy-three FMF patients were included in the study. 94.5% of patients had clinical symptoms of COVID-19. We found 24.7% hospitalization, 12.3% respiratory support, 4.1% intensive care unit admission, 6.8% complication, and 1.4% mortality rate in patients. The risk factors of hospitalization for respiratory support were male gender [OR: 7.167 (95% CI: 1.368–37.535)], greater age [OR: 1.067 (95% CI: 1.016–1.121)], and non-adherence to colchicine treatment before the infection [OR: 7.5 (95% CI: 1.348–41.722)]. One-third of patients had reported attacks after COVID-19. The patterns of triggered attacks were fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, transient arthritis, chronic knee mono-arthritis, and protracted febrile myalgia. CONCLUSIONS: FMF characteristics were not associated with worse outcomes of COVID-19. Colchicine non-adherence was the risk factor of hospitalization for oxygen support. The rate of FMF attacks after COVID-19 is prominently increased, with some of them being protracted and destructive
Treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated digital ulcers: recommendations of the Turkish Society for Rheumatology
OBJECTIVES: Digital ulcers (DUs) are associated with a significant burden in systemic sclerosis (SSc) by leading to severe pain, physical disability, and reduced quality of life. This effort aimed to develop recommendations of the Turkish Society for Rheumatology (TRD) on the management of DUs associated with SSc. METHODS: In the first meeting held in December 2020 with the participation of a task force consisting of 23 rheumatologists the scope of the recommendations and research questions were determined. A systematic literature review was conducted by 5 fellows and results were presented to the task force during the second meeting. The Oxford system was used to determine the level of evidence. The preliminary recommendations were discussed, modified, and voted by the task force and then by members of TRD via e-mail invitation allowing personalised access to a web-based questionnaire [SurveyMonkey®]. RESULTS: A total of 23 recommendations under 7 main headings were formulated covering non-pharmacological measures for the prevention of DUs and pharmacological treatments including vasodilators, anti-aggregants, antibiotics, wound care, pain control, and interventions including sympathectomy, botulinum toxin, and surgery. Risk factors, poor prognostic factors, prevention of DU and adverse effects of medical treatments were reported as 4 overarching principles. CONCLUSIONS: These evidence-based recommendations for the management of SSc-associated DUs were developed to provide a useful guide to all physicians who are involved in the care of patients with SSc, as well as to point out unmet needs in this field
Development and implementation of the AIDA international registry for patients with Schnitzler's syndrome
The present paper describes the design, development, and implementation of the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry specifically dedicated to patients with Schnitzler's syndrome