The unknown consequences of COVID-19 in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Las alteraciones en el sistema inmunitario se encuentran a menudo en niños con trastornos del espectro autista [TEA], lo que conduce a una respuesta inmune aberrante que compromete la defensa del huésped. Menos células T reguladoras, elevación en las células inflamatorias y citoquinas proinflamatorias han sido muy reportados en esta población y se ha visto recientemente como un trastorno neuroinflamatorio crónico. Las citocinas a menudo están desreguladas en el TEA, especialmente la IL-6, que es una de las mayores preocupaciones durante la pandemia actual del COVID-19, así como otras desregulaciones inmunes. Creemos firmemente que este entorno proinflamatorio en TEA podría aumentar la vulnerabilidad de un resultado clínico pobre para la infección por COVID-19.Alterations in the immune system are often found in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD], leading to an aberrant immune response which compromises host defense. Fewer regulatory T-cells, elevation in inflammatory cells and proinflammatory cytokines have been highly reported in this population and it has been recently seen as a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder. Cytokines are often dysregulated in ASD especially IL-6, which is one of the biggest concerns during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other immune dysregulations. We strongly believe that this proinflammatory environment in ASD could increase the vulnerability of a poor clinical outcome for COVID-19 infection

Auricular Chromoblastomycosis: an atypical presentation case and review of literature

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic, localized deep fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, caused by dematiaceous (black) fungi. We describe the case of 62 years-old-male patient, from a rural town, with seborrheic dermatitis for more than 10 years, and a desquamative lesion in the right ear, where no diagnosis of CBM was never made. Direct exam with KOH, macro and microscopic culture characteristics, epidemiological and clinical findings confirmed the diagnosis of CBM by Cladophialophora carrionii, the first case report of auricular lesions published in Venezuela

Stem cell therapy in autism: recent insights

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by core domains: persistent deficits in social communication and interaction; restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. ASDs comprise heterogeneous and complex neurodevelopmental pathologies with well-defined inflammatory conditions and immune system dysfunction. Due to neurobiologic changes underlying ASD development, cell-based therapies have been proposed and applied to ASDs. Indeed, stem cells show specific immunologic properties, which make them promising candidates in ASD treatment. This comprehensive up-to-date review focuses on ASD cellular/molecular abnormalities, potentially useful stem cell types, animal models, and current clinical trials on the use of stem cells in treating autism. Limitations are also discussed

Speech-Stimulating Substances in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the core domains of persistent deficits in social communication and restricted-repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. A heterogeneous and complex set of neurodevelopmental conditions are grouped in the spectrum. Pro-inflammatory events and immune system dysfunctions are cellular and molecular events associated with ASD. Several conditions co-occur with ASD: seizures, gastro-intestinal problems, attention deficit, anxiety and depression, and sleep problems. However, language and speech issues are key components of ASD symptoms current therapies find difficult to face. Several speech-stimulating substances have been shown to be effective in increasing speech ability in ASD subjects. The need for large clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy is recommended

Immune Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know about It?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by a wide and variable set of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including deficits in social communication, narrow and restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. The immune hypothesis is considered to be a major factor contributing to autism pathogenesis, as well as a way to explain the differences of the clinical phenotypes and comorbidities influencing disease course and severity. Evidence highlights a link between immune dysfunction and behavioral traits in autism from several types of evidence found in both cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood and their utility to identify autistic subgroups with specific immunophenotypes; underlying behavioral symptoms are also shown. This review summarizes current insights into immune dysfunction in ASD, with particular reference to the impact of immunological factors related to the maternal influence of autism development; comorbidities influencing autism disease course and severity; and others factors with particular relevance, including obesity. Finally, we described main elements of similarities between immunopathology overlapping neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, taking as examples autism and Parkinson Disease, respectively