[International workshop on lysosomal storage disorders, December 2005, Athens, Greece].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Veyssier-Belot.
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INTRODUCTION: The toxic myopathy caused by statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) is well established. Recent reports add to these effects systemic immune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, polymyositis or dermatomyositis. EXEGESIS: We report a case of dermatomyositis in a 69-year-old patient treated with pravastatin [Elisor]. She presented with typical features of dermatomyositis 2 years after she started a treatment with pravastatin. The treatment was discontinued and she slowly improved, with a transient dermocorticosteroid treatment. Eight other patients with dermatomyositis and chronic treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are reported in the literature. All of them presented with classical features of dermatomyositis. The discontinuation of the treatment was followed by spontaneous clinical and biological improvement in 3/9 patients. The other patients received high doses of corticosteroids and improved, except one patient who died of respiratory failure (pulmonary fibrosis) despite the adjunction of oral cyclophosphamide [Endoxan]. In these patients, dermatomyositis can be considered as a severe adverse reaction to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors although a distinct casual link cannot be definitely established. CONCLUSION: The increasing prescription of statins has led to the parallel increment of reported side-effects, where autoimmune diseases are now described. Among them, our case of dermatomyositis in a patient receiving pravastatin adds to the eight reported cases in the literature and highlights the potential role of statins as triggers of immune systemic diseases.
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Double heterozygosity for factor V R506Q and prothrombin G20210A mutations was identified in a 24-year-old man with beta-thalassemia major. The patient experienced a first thrombotic event at the age of 19 years and three recurrent thromboses in a short time interval, the third occurring while the patient was receiving long-term anticoagulant treatment. This case suggests that patients with major thalassemia and congenital thrombophilic mutations need intensive and long-lasting anticoagulant treatment. Thus, even if thrombotic events could be explained by a hypercoagulable state observed in patients with major thalassemia, after a first thrombotic event has occurred these patients should be screened for acquired and congenital thrombophilia.
INTRODUCTION: In patients with lupus, the most common acquired circulating anticoagulant is antiprothrombinase which is responsible for thrombosis. The presence of antibodies directed against factor VIII is rarely found in systemic lupus erythematosus. A case of acquired haemophilia in a patient with lupus is reported. CASE REPORT: A 30 year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed a right coxalgia and ecchymotic skin lesions which were prominent on the right arm and forearm. Laboratory values were as follows: positive antinuclear antibodies > 1: 2 560, anti-DNA antibodies (300 IU/ml), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, reduced factor VIII activity (1 p. 100) and the presence of antibodies against factor VIII. Magnetic nuclear resonance of the right hip confirmed the presence of an intramuscular hematoma. The patient was initially treated with intravenous pulse and oral corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins and intravenous cyclophosphamide. Clinical and biological improvement was promptly obtained. DISCUSSION: In our patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, bleeding revealed acquired haemophilia with antibodies against factor VIII. It should be pointed out that the association between lupus and haemophilia is uncommon and that at present no standardized treatment can be recommended.
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INCIDENCE AND GRAVITY: Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections are a common reason for hospitalization. Serious forms may occur in patients with no known risk factor, including young patients. Inversely, erysipela is observed more readily in the elderly population with a more vulnerable venous system. Disease gravity is related to the high risk of recurrence. For cellulitis, predominantly a disease of young subjects with no past history, severity is related to local extension and development of shock syndrome. Besides the immediate life-threatening situation, functional prognosis may be compromised, depending on the localization of the infection. PATHOGENESIS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS: Adherence and invasion properties of group A streptococci, particularly the capsule and protein M, as well as streptococcal toxins cause severe septic and toxinic syndromes. Strains most frequently associated with invasive infections are: biotype 1, serotype M1 and biotype 3, serotype M3. TREATMENT: An antibiotic regimen by intravenous infusion of penicillin G is the gold standard treatment. Clindamycin should be added in case of septic shock. Extensive cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis requires surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue and intensive care for the shock syndrome.
Pulmonary hypertension can occur either as primary or secondary disease following cardiac or pulmonary illnesses. In either cases, histological lung biopsies reveal vascular remodelling i.e. smooth muscle cells proliferation with medial hypertrophy, arteriolar muscularization and endothelial cell proliferation. Subsequent intimal thickening, fibrosis and in situ thrombosis, altogether lead to vaso-occlusive alterations referred to as plexiform lesions. Theories concerning the detailed physiopathology of pulmonary hypertension have focused on endothelial and smooth muscle cells' chemical factors production and response to different mediators. The endothelium produces vasoconstrictor and growth-promoting factor such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) as well as vasodilator and growth-inhibitor factors like prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO). ET-1 has been noted in high concentrations in some clinical cases and experimental models of pulmonary hypertension, coupled with ET-1 receptors' modulation and altered endothelin converting enzyme activities, suggesting their active role in both arteriolar vasoconstriction and occlusion. Vascular thrombosis which has been noted by pathologists in pulmonary hypertension, could be related to an imbalance between thrombotic inducing factors (such as anti-phospholipid antibodies, ET-1 and thromboxane) and decreased fibrinolytic activity and antiaggregant endothelial factors (like prostacyclin, NO, thrombomodulin). The discovery of an endothelial cells' monoclonal proliferation in plexiform lesions of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension may reinforce the cellular proliferation hypothesis to understand the histopathology of this disease. In view of these new findings, the treatments available for pulmonary hypertension have been expanded from the previously employed oxygen therapy, calcium-channel blockers and anticoagulants, to intravenous prostacyclin analogues (epoprostenol) and inhaled nitric oxide.
PURPOSE: Aortic arch dissection may be sometimes misdiagnosed due to the lack of mild to moderate chest pain. Definite diagnosis is often made while dissection has already occurred more than 15 days ago, being thereafter considered as chronic. Aortic dissection may then present as a prolonged febrile illness with fever and/or inflammation as main symptoms, with little or no pain. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of chronic aortic dissections seen in a department of internal medicine and a department of neurology between 1975 and 1992. RESULTS: We report six cases of patients presenting with aortic dissection and describe their outcome and treatments after the diagnosis was made based on either thoracic computerized tomography or trans-esophageal echocardiography evidence. Four patients had surgical aortic arch repair while one patient was treated with beta-blockers. CONCLUSION: Chronic aortic dissection has rarely been reported to cause fever or increased sedimentation rate. Treatment has to be discussed between medical and surgical teams involved in the therapeutical management of these unusual patients.
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