Cytokines in primary headache disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The role of inflammation and cytokines in the pathophysiology of primary headache disorders is uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the results of studies comparing peripheral blood cytokine levels between patients with migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, or new daily persistent headache (NDPH), and healthy controls; and in migraine between the ictal and interictal stages. METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline and Embase from inception until July 2022. We included original research studies which measured unstimulated levels of any cytokines in peripheral blood using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or similar assay. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We used random effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighted average to calculate standardised mean difference (SMD), 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity for each comparison. This study is registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023393363). No funding was received for this study. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies, including 1335 patients with migraine (32 studies), 302 with tension-type headache (nine studies), 42 with cluster headache (two studies), and 1225 healthy controls met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD 1.07, 95% CI 0.40-1.73, p = 0.002), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (SMD 0.61, 95% CI 0.14-1.09, p = 0.01), and IL-8 (SMD 1.56, 95% CI 0.03-3.09, p = 0.04), in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls, and significantly higher interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.06-0.62, p = 0.02) during the ictal phase of migraine compared to the interictal phase. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.18-0.86, p = 0.003) and TNF-α (SMD 0.64, 95% CI 0.33-0.96, p = 0.0001) were both higher in patients with tension-type headache than controls. CONCLUSIONS: The higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in migraine compared to controls, and IL-1β during the ictal stage, suggest a role for inflammation in the pathophysiology of migraine, however prospective studies are required to confirm causality and investigate the mechanisms for the increase in cytokine levels identified. Cytokines may also have a role in tension-type headache. Due a lack of data, no conclusions can be made regarding cluster headache or NDPH

Different clinical phenotypes of AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD in two first degree relatives

Abstract Background Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are autoimmune inflammatory disorders of the CNS in which patients have severe relapses of optic neuritis and myelitis. Aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) positive NMOSD has not been reported in members of the same family in Sub Saharan Africa. We report the uncommon scenario in which both a Ugandan HIV positive woman and her HIV negative daughter were diagnosed with AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD. We discuss pathogenic mechanisms that may underlie familial presentation of AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD. Case Presentation Case 1, a 54-year-old female teacher with a 20-year history of HIV infection and virally suppressed on Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir HAART regimen, presented with 8 months of progressive quadriparesis and urinary incontinence with a T6 sensory level. She had gadolinium enhancing longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis on MRI and was AQP4-IgG positive on serum studies. She received IV Methylprednisone 1 g daily for 3 days as a pulse and was continued on tapering doses of oral Prednisone with maintenance doses of Azathioprine. She showed slow improvements in limb motor function. Her daughter, case 2, is a 35-year-old HIV negative nutritionist, independently ambulant, with no known comorbidities or precedent autoimmune disease. She presented 1 year before her mother’s AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD diagnosis with 7 months history of bilateral visual loss of rapid onset, with gadolinium-enhancing optic nerves on Brain and orbit MRI, in keeping with bilateral optic neuritis. She was AQP4-IgG positive on serum studies. She stabilized on tapered doses of oral Prednisone and continues daily oral Azathioprine with moderate improvement in her vision and no further relapses as yet. Conclusions We add to existing literature and hypothesize that NMOSD appears to show a complex genetic background. To our knowledge, this is the first report in Sub-Saharan Africa, of familial AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD presenting with clinical heterogeneity between first degree relatives. A better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved, including genome wide studies for particular risk loci for familial NMOSD, will be pivotal for future preventative and therapeutic strategies

A Systematic Review of Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries in Sub-Saharan Africa and a Proposed Diagnostic Algorithm for Resource-Limited Settings

BackgroundNon-traumatic myelopathy is common in Africa and there are geographic differences in etiology. Clinical management is challenging due to the broad differential diagnosis and the lack of diagnostics. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the most common etiologies of non-traumatic myelopathy in sub-Saharan Africa to inform a regionally appropriate diagnostic algorithm.MethodsWe conducted a systemic review searching Medline and Embase databases using the following search terms: “Non traumatic spinal cord injury” or “myelopathy” with limitations to epidemiology or etiologies and Sub-Saharan Africa. We described the frequencies of the different etiologies and proposed a diagnostic algorithm based on the most common diagnoses.ResultsWe identified 19 studies all performed at tertiary institutions; 15 were retrospective and 13 were published in the era of the HIV epidemic. Compressive bone lesions accounted for more than 48% of the cases; a majority were Pott’s disease and metastatic disease. No diagnosis was identified in up to 30% of cases in most studies; in particular, definitive diagnoses of non-compressive lesions were rare and a majority were clinical diagnoses of transverse myelitis and HIV myelopathy. Age and HIV were major determinants of etiology.ConclusionCompressive myelopathies represent a majority of non-traumatic myelopathies in sub-Saharan Africa, and most were due to Pott’s disease. Non-compressive myelopathies have not been well defined and need further research in Africa. We recommend a standardized approach to management of non-traumatic myelopathy focused on identifying treatable conditions with tests widely available in low-resource settings

Cytokines in primary headache disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The role of inflammation and cytokines in the pathophysiology of primary headache disorders is uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the results of studies comparing peripheral blood cytokine levels between patients with migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, or new daily persistent headache (NDPH), and healthy controls; and in migraine between the ictal and interictal stages. Methods We searched PubMed/Medline and Embase from inception until July 2022. We included original research studies which measured unstimulated levels of any cytokines in peripheral blood using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or similar assay. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We used random effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighted average to calculate standardised mean difference (SMD), 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity for each comparison. This study is registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023393363). No funding was received for this study. Results Thirty-eight studies, including 1335 patients with migraine (32 studies), 302 with tension-type headache (nine studies), 42 with cluster headache (two studies), and 1225 healthy controls met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD 1.07, 95% CI 0.40–1.73, p = 0.002), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (SMD 0.61, 95% CI 0.14–1.09, p = 0.01), and IL-8 (SMD 1.56, 95% CI 0.03–3.09, p = 0.04), in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls, and significantly higher interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.06–0.62, p = 0.02) during the ictal phase of migraine compared to the interictal phase. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.18–0.86, p = 0.003) and TNF-α (SMD 0.64, 95% CI 0.33–0.96, p = 0.0001) were both higher in patients with tension-type headache than controls. Conclusions The higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in migraine compared to controls, and IL-1β during the ictal stage, suggest a role for inflammation in the pathophysiology of migraine, however prospective studies are required to confirm causality and investigate the mechanisms for the increase in cytokine levels identified. Cytokines may also have a role in tension-type headache. Due a lack of data, no conclusions can be made regarding cluster headache or NDPH

Blood neutrophil counts in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis: Association with mortality.

BackgroundThe mortality from cryptococcal meningitis remains high, despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and amphotericin-based fungal regimens. The role of neutrophils in cryptococcosis is controversial. Our objective was to examine the association between blood neutrophil counts and outcomes in terms of mortality, the incidence of bacterial infections (including Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and hospitalization among HIV-infected patients presenting with cryptococcal meningitis.MethodsWe used data from participants from the Cryptococcal Optimal ART Timing (COAT) trial (2010-2012; Uganda and South Africa) and the Adjunctive Sertraline for Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis (ASTRO-CM) trial (2013-2017; Uganda). We estimated 30-day mortality risk with Cox proportional hazards models by baseline neutrophil counts (a) on a continuous scale and (b) with indicators for both relatively high (> 3,500 cells/mm3) and low (≤ 1,000 cells/mm3) counts. Follow-up neutrophil counts from the COAT trial were used to examine the time-dependent association of neutrophil counts with 12-month mortality and rehospitalization.Results801 participants had an absolute neutrophil value at meningitis diagnosis. The median baseline absolute neutrophil count was 2100 cells/mm3 (IQR, 1400 to 3300 cells/mm3). Baseline neutrophil count was positively associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.09, 95%CI, 1.04-1.13, per 1000 cells/mm3 increase; p3500 cells/mm3 had significantly increased risk, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.85(95%CI, 1.40-2.44; pConclusionHigher blood neutrophil counts in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis were associated with mortality. Neutrophils role requires further investigation as to whether this may be a mediator directly contributing to mortality or merely a marker of underlying pathologies that increase mortality risk