Serial determination of cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies predicted five-year radiological outcomes in a prospective cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of serially determined anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies for predicting structural joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), compared to a single baseline determination. Ninety-nine RA patients with disease durations of less than one year and no history of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy were followed prospectively for at least five years. Anti-CCP2 concentrations were measured using a second-generation ELISA. Sharp scores as modified by van der Heijde were determined on hand and foot radiographs. Anti-CCP2 antibodies were detected in 55.5% of patients at baseline and 63.6% at any time during the first three years. Presence of anti-CCP2 at any time during the first three years was associated with radiographic damage at baseline (odds ratio (OR), 3.66; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.99–13.54) and with five year progression of the total Sharp score (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.3–7.7), erosion score (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.4–19.2) and joint space narrowing score (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.15–6.8). The presence of anti-CCP2 or IgM RF at baseline did not predict these outcomes. Patients with negative anti-CCP2 tests throughout follow-up had less radiographic progression than patients with increasing anti-CCP2 concentrations; they did not differ from patients with decreasing anti-CCP2 antibody levels. HLADRB1* typing showed that progression of the mean modified Sharp score was not correlated with the presence of the shared epitope alleles. In conclusion, serially determined anti-CCP2 antibodies during the first three years of follow-up performs better than baseline determination for predicting radiographic progression in patients with early RA

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Auto-anticorps des myosites (intérêt d'un test ELISA pour la recherche d'anticorps anti-MDA5 dans le diagnostic, pronostic et suivi des myosites auto-immunes. Résultats obtenus à partir de patients suivis dans plusieurs hôpitaux français)

PARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum: cranial and vertebral malformations due to focal disturbed chondrogenesis

Microradiographic and histological analyses point out a focal disturbed chondrogenesis of both the skull base and the axial skeleton in a case of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum. Cartilage showed disturbed endochondral ossification with defects in calcification, deficient resorption, and abnormal crumpled areas of mineralized cartilage

Heart valve disease in systemic lupus erythematosus - Role of antiphospholipid antibodies

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Utility of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay in adult, pulmonary and extrapulmonary, active tuberculosis diagnosis

Background: Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in France and the diagnosis of tuberculosis disease (TB) is sometimes difficult. The aim of this study was to analyse the contribution of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT) to TB diagnosis. Methods: Sixty patients hospitalized with TB, for whom a QFT-GIT assay had been performed between June 2008 and June 2011 at the University Hospital of Bondy in the north-east of Paris, were identified retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios of the QFT-GIT were all calculated. Furthermore, the characteristics of patients testing positive were compared to those of patients testing negative, as well as the QFT-GIT values according to several different factors. Results: The sensitivity of the QFT-GIT was 85% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73–0.92) and specificity was 73.3% (95% CI 0.68–0.78). The positive predictive value was 39.5% and the negative predictive value was 97.3%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.2 and 0.20, respectively. The prevalence of TB in this population was 15% (pre-test probability). After a positive test result, the probability of TB increased to 40% (post-positive probability test); after a negative test result, it decreased to 4.5% (post-negative probability test). The combination of the QFT-GIT test with the tuberculin skin test brought no significant improvement in sensitivity. Factors significantly associated with a negative QFT-GIT result included older age, high C-reactive protein, a low lymphocyte count, and immunosuppressant intake. The test value in quantitative terms was significantly higher in those with lymph node TB than in those with pulmonary TB, and in younger patients (40 years old). Conclusion: On its own, QFT-GIT is an insufficient tool to confirm the diagnosis of TB disease. However, it may form part of an ensemble of tools in combination with clinical, biological, and radiological assessments

The Presence of SGLT1 and Glut4 in Rat and Human Salivary Glands

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe