Chemical characterization of inks in skin reactions to tattoo

Skin reactions are well described complications of tattooing, usually provoked by red inks. Chemical characterizations of these inks are usually based on limited subjects and techniques. This study aimed to determine the organic and inorganic composition of inks using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) and Raman spectroscopy, in a cohort of patients with cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to tattoo. A retrospective multicenter study was performed, including 15 patients diagnosed with skin reactions to tattoos. Almost half of these patients developed skin reactions on black inks. XRF identified known allergenic metals - titanium, chromium, manganese, nickel and copper - in almost all cases. XANES spectroscopy distinguished zinc and iron present in ink from these elements in endogenous biomolecules. Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of both reported (azo pigments, quinacridone) and unreported (carbon black, phtalocyanine) putative organic sensitizer compounds, and also defined the phase in which Ti was engaged. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper reports the largest cohort of skin hypersensitivity reactions analyzed by multiple complementary techniques. With almost half the patients presenting skin reaction on black tattoo, the study suggests that black modern inks should also be considered to provoke skin reactions, probably because of the common association of carbon black with potential allergenic metals within these inks. Analysis of more skin reactions to tattoos is needed to identify the relevant chemical compounds and help render tattoo ink composition safer.Peer reviewe

Extensive Dermatophytosis Caused by Terbinafine-Resistant Trichophyton indotineae , France

International audienc

Non-criteria manifestations in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: a French multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundFrom this retrospective study, we aimed to (1) describe the prevalence and characteristics of non-criteria features in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (p-APS) and (2) determine their prognostic value.MethodsThis retrospective French multicenter cohort study included all patients diagnosed with p-APS (Sydney criteria) between January 2012 and January 2019. We used Kaplan-Meier and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to compare the incidence of relapse in p-APS with and without non-criteria manifestations.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-nine patients with p-APS were included during the study time, with a median age of 52.50 years [39.0; 65.25] and mainly women (n = 112; 62.6%). Among them, forty-three patients (24.0%) presented at least one non-criteria manifestation during the follow-up: autoimmune cytopenias (n = 17; 39.5%), Libman Sachs endocarditis (n = 5; 11.6%), APS nephropathy (n = 4; 9.3%), livedo reticularis (n = 8; 18.6%), and neurological manifestations (n = 12; 27.9%). In comparison to p-APS without any non-criteria manifestations (n = 136), p-APS with non-criteria features had more arterial thrombosis (n = 24; 55.8% vs n = 48; 35.3%; p = 0.027) and more frequent pre-eclampsia (n = 6; 14.3% vs n = 4; 3.1%; p = 0.02). The prevalence of triple positivity was significantly increased in patients with non-criteria features (n = 20; 47.6% vs n = 25; 19.8%; p = 0.001). Patients with p-APS and non-criteria manifestations (n = 43) received significantly more additional therapies combined with vitamin K antagonists and/or antiaggregants. Catastrophic APS (CAPS) tended to be more frequent in p-APS with non-criteria features (n = 2; 5.1% vs none; p = 0.074). The p-APS with non-criteria manifestations had significantly increased rates of relapse (n = 20; 58.8% vs 33; 33.7%; p = 0.018) in bivariate analysis, but in survival analyses, the hazard ratio (HR) of relapse was not significantly different between the two groups (HR at 1.34 [0.67; 2.68]; p = 0.40).ConclusionsThe presence of non-criteria features is important to consider, as they are associated with particular clinical and laboratory profiles, increased risk of relapse, and need for additional therapies. Prospective studies are necessary to better stratify the prognosis and the management of p-APS

Non-criteria manifestations in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: a French multicenter retrospective cohort study

International audienceBackground: From this retrospective study, we aimed to (1) describe the prevalence and characteristics of non-criteria features in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (p-APS) and (2) determine their prognostic value. Methods: This retrospective French multicenter cohort study included all patients diagnosed with p-APS (Sydney criteria) between January 2012 and January 2019. We used Kaplan-Meier and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to compare the incidence of relapse in p-APS with and without non-criteria manifestations. Results: One hundred and seventy-nine patients with p-APS were included during the study time, with a median age of 52.50 years [39.0; 65.25] and mainly women (n = 112; 62.6%). Among them, forty-three patients (24.0%) presented at least one non-criteria manifestation during the follow-up: autoimmune cytopenias (n = 17; 39.5%), Libman Sachs endocarditis (n = 5; 11.6%), APS nephropathy (n = 4; 9.3%), livedo reticularis (n = 8; 18.6%), and neurological manifestations (n = 12; 27.9%). In comparison to p-APS without any non-criteria manifestations (n = 136), p-APS with non-criteria features had more arterial thrombosis (n = 24; 55.8% vs n = 48; 35.3%; p = 0.027) and more frequent pre-eclampsia (n = 6; 14.3% vs n = 4; 3.1%; p = 0.02). The prevalence of triple positivity was significantly increased in patients with non-criteria features (n = 20; 47.6% vs n = 25; 19.8%; p = 0.001). Patients with p-APS and non-criteria manifestations (n = 43) received significantly more additional therapies combined with vitamin K antagonists and/or antiaggregants. Catastrophic APS (CAPS) tended to be more frequent in p-APS with non-criteria features (n = 2; 5.1% vs none; p = 0.074). The p-APS with non-criteria manifestations had significantly increased rates of relapse (n = 20; 58.8% vs 33; 33.7%; p = 0.018) in bivariate analysis, but in survival analyses, the hazard ratio (HR) of relapse was not significantly different between the two groups (HR at 1.34 [0.67; 2.68]; p = 0.40)

Identifying high-risk profile in primary antiphospholipid syndrome through cluster analysis: French multicentric cohort study

IntroductionAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by thrombosis (arterial, venous or small vessel) or obstetrical events and persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), according to the Sydney classification criteria. Many studies have performed cluster analyses among patients with primary APS and associated autoimmune disease, but none has focused solely on primary APS. We aimed to perform a cluster analysis among patients with primary APS and asymptomatic aPL carriers without any autoimmune disease, to assess prognostic value.MethodsIn this multicentre French cohort study, we included all patients with persistent APS antibodies (Sydney criteria) measured between January 2012 and January 2019. We excluded all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or other systemic autoimmune diseases. We performed hierarchical cluster analysis on the factor analysis of mixed data coordinates results with baseline patient characteristics to generate clusters.ResultsWe identified four clusters: cluster 1, comprising 'asymptomatic aPL carriers', with low risk of events during follow-up; cluster 2, the 'male thrombotic phenotype', with older patients and more venous thromboembolic events; cluster 3, the 'female obstetrical phenotype', with obstetrical and thrombotic events; and cluster 4, 'high-risk APS', which included younger patients with more frequent triple positivity, antinuclear antibodies, non-criteria manifestations and arterial events. Regarding survival analyses, asymptomatic aPL carriers relapsed less frequently than the others, but no other differences in terms of relapse rates or deaths were found between clusters.ConclusionsWe identified four clusters among patients with primary APS, one of which was 'high-risk APS'. Clustering-based treatment strategies should be explored in future prospective studies

Expansion of Circulating CD49b+LAG3+ Type 1 Regulatory T Cells in Human Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Lower disease activity but higher risk of severe COVID-19 and herpes zoster in systemiclupus erythematosus patients with pre-existing autoantibodies neutralising IFN-

International audienceObjectives: Type-I interferons (IFNs-I) have potent antiviral effects. IFNs-I are alsooverproduced in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Auto-antibodies (AAbs)neutralising IFN-, - and/or - subtypes are strong determinants of hypoxemic COVID-19pneumonia, but their impact on inflammation remains unknown.Methods: We retrospectively analysed a monocentric longitudinal cohort of 609 patients withSLE. Serum AAbs against IFN-α were quantified by ELISA and functionally assessed byabolishment of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells protection by IFN-α2 against vesicularstomatitis virus challenge. Serum neutralising activity against IFN-, - and - was alsodetermined with a reporter luciferase activity. SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses were measuredagainst wild-type spike antigen, while serum-neutralising activity was assessed against theSARS-CoV-2 historical strain and variants of concerns.Results: Neutralising and non-neutralising anti-IFN- antibodies are present at a frequency of3.3% and 8.4%, respectively, in individuals with SLE. AAbs neutralising IFN-, unlike nonneutralisingAAbs, are associated with reduced IFN- serum levels and a reduced likelihood todevelop active disease. However, they predispose patients to an increased risk of herpes zosterand severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with SLE ismostly associated with combined neutralisation of different IFNs-I. Finally, anti-IFN-AAbsdo not interfere with COVID-19 vaccine humoral immunogenicity.Conclusion: The production of non-neutralising and neutralising anti-IFN-I antibodies in SLEis likely to be a consequence of SLE-associated high IFN-I serum levels, with a beneficialeffect on disease activity, yet a greater viral risk. This finding reinforces the recommendationsfor vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in SLE