Latent Tuberculosis in Psoriasis Patients on Biologic Therapies: Real-World Data from a Care Center in Romania

Background and Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory condition that has a huge impact on the patient’s quality of life. Biological treatment improved psoriasis therapy, with impressive results seen in the evolution of the disease and the patient’s quality of life. However, the risk of mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection reactivation is well-known to biological therapy, which raises problems especially in an endemic country. Materials and Methods: In this study, we followed moderate to severe psoriasis patients who had latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) following treatment with a biological therapy approved in Romania. Results: The patients were evaluated at baseline and then followed-up with Mantoux tests and chest X-rays every year, resulting in 54 patients being diagnosed with LTBI. At the initial evaluation, 30 patients with LTBI were identified, and 24 more were identified during biological therapy. These patients were given prophylactic treatment. Out of the 97 participants in this retrospective study, 25 required association of methotrexate (MTX) alongside biological therapy. We compared the prevalence of positive Mantoux tests in patients with combined therapy with that of patients only on biological treatment, and the results were higher in the combined therapy group. Conclusion: All the patients in the study were vaccinated against tuberculosis (TB) after birth, and none were diagnosed with active tuberculosis (aTB) before or after the start of therapy according to the pulmonologist

The Role of Circular RNA for Early Diagnosis and Improved Management of Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths every year. There is growing evidence that circular RNAs (circRNAs) may play a significant role in the early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. As regulatory molecules, circular RNAs regulate gene expression, interact with proteins and miRNAs, and are translated into proteins that play a key role in a wide variety of biological processes, including the division and proliferation of cells, as well as the growth and development of individuals. An overview of the properties, expression profiles, classification, and functions of circRNAs is presented here, along with an explanation of their implications in cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathies, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmia