2 research outputs found
Resolution of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in a pediatric patient with a severe phenotype of Muckle-Wells syndrome treated with Anakinra: a case report and review of the literature
Abstract Background Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) is a rare auto-inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of recurrent urticaria, deafness and amyloidosis. Progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is reported to occur in up to 85% of patients occurring in the second and third decades and as early as the first decade in patients with a more severe phenotype, thus potentially having a significant impact on a child’s development. IL-1 inhibitors, such as Anakinra, have been described to improve systemic inflammation, and stabilize or improve hearing status as well. However, complete resolution of hearing loss has been rarely reported. The objective of this article is to highlight the clinical presentation of a pediatric patient with a severe form of MWS and report on the complete resolution of SNHL with the use of Anakinra. Case presentation A 3-year-old boy was referred to our hospital to assess for the possibility of MWS given a history of hives and recurrent episodes of fever with a family history of MWS in his mother. Of note, the patient’s history was significant for conductive hearing loss, speech delay, as well as recurrent acute otitis media episodes. Genetic analysis was performed and diagnosis of MWS was confirmed due to the presence of a NLRP3 gene mutation. Further work-up demonstrated the presence of papilledema and elevation of systemic inflammatory markers for which Canakinumab was initiated. Despite initiation of this treatment, audiogram evaluation demonstrated a new right-sided SNHL. Lumbar puncture also revealed aseptic meningitis. Canakinumab was eventually discontinued and Anakinra initiated. Within 7 months of treatment with Anakinra at 5 mg/kg sc daily, resolution of the SNHL was observed. With further escalation of the Anakinra dose, there was also complete resolution of the aseptic meningitis. Conclusions Progressive hearing loss is a significant finding in patients with MWS. Early screening as well as initiation of Anakinra can lead to complete resolution of SNHL even in a patient with a severe spectrum of MWS. However, as this case demonstrates, longer treatment duration and higher doses of Anakinra may be required to achieve this
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Biologic therapies for refractory juvenile dermatomyositis: five years of experience of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance in North America
Background: The prognosis of children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) has improved remarkably since the 1960’s with the use of corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Yet there remain a minority of children who have refractory disease. Since 2003 the sporadic use of biologics (genetically-engineered proteins that usually are derived from human genes) for inflammatory myositis has been reported. In 2011–2016 we investigated our collective experience of biologics in JDM through the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). Methods: The JDM biologic study group developed a survey on the CARRA member experience using biologics for Juvenile DM utilizing Delphi consensus methods in 2011–2012. The survey was completed online by the CARRA members interested in JDM in 2012. A second survey was similarly developed that provided more opportunity to describe their experiences with biologics in JDM in detail and was completed by CARRA members in Feb 2013. During three CARRA meetings in 2013–2015, nominal group techniques were used for achieving consensus on the current choices of biologic drugs. A final survey was performed at the 2016 CARRA meeting. Results: One hundred and five of a potential 231 pediatric rheumatologists (42%) responded to the first survey in 2012. Thirty-five of 90 had never used a biologic for Juvenile DM at that time. Fifty-five of 91 (denominators vary) had used biologics for JDM in their practice with 32%, 5%, and 4% using rituximab, etanercept, and infliximab, respectively, and 17% having used more than one of the three drugs. Ten percent used a biologic as monotherapy, 19% a biologic in combination with methotrexate (mtx), 52% a biologic in combination with mtx and corticosteroids, 42% a combination of a biologic, mtx, corticosteroids (steroids), and an immunosuppressive drug, and 43% a combination of a biologic, IVIG and mtx. The results of the second survey supported these findings in considerably more detail with multiple combinations of drugs used with biologics and supported the use of rituximab, abatacept, anti-TNFα drugs, and tocilizumab in that order. One hundred percent recommended that CARRA continue studying biologics for JDM. The CARRA meeting survey in 2016 again supported the study and use of these four biologic drug groups. Conclusions: Our CARRA JDM biologic work group developed and performed three surveys demonstrating that pediatric rheumatologists in North America have been using multiple biologics for refractory JDM in numerous scenarios from 2011 to 2016. These survey results and our consensus meetings determined our choice of four biologic therapies (rituximab, abatacept, tocilizumab and anti-TNFα drugs) to consider for refractory JDM treatment when indicated and to evaluate for comparative effectiveness and safety in the future. Significance and InnovationsThis is the first report that provides a substantial clinical experience of a large group of pediatric rheumatologists with biologics for refractory JDM over five years.This experience with biologic therapies for refractory JDM may aid pediatric rheumatologists in the current treatment of these children and form a basis for further clinical research into the comparative effectiveness and safety of biologics for refractory JDM. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12969-017-0174-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users