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Biomedical subjects

D Saadoun

Publications and source records attributed to D Saadoun.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

[Update in Hepatitis C virus associated extrahepatic manifestations].

INTRODUCTION: Since the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, many manifestations, so called extra-hepatic manifestations (EHM), are largely reported with more or less relationship proofs. ACTUALITIES AND MAIN POINTS: This article proposes a review of the main extra-hepatic manifestations associated with the Hepatis C Virus infection and which remain a topical subject, more than fifteen years after the discovery of this virus. Mixed cryoglobulin and its vasculitic manifestations are still one of the more frequent Hepatis C Virus associated-extra-hepatic manifestations. Its management may be critically changed due to the increasing use of anti-CD20 therapy. Among other HCV-EHM, the following extra-hepatic manifestations are still of interest: the chronic fatigue syndrome, the sicca syndrome, the non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, malignant B cell proliferations, mainly the Hepatis C Virus-related splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and the production of auto-antibodies. PERSPECTIVES AND PROJECTS: The mechanisms underlying these HCV-associated EHM are ill-elucidated and still remain of great interest as proved by current studies. The use of anti-CD20 antibodies in the treatment of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is also under investigation.

Autoantibodies↗

Hepatitis C virus-associated B-cell proliferation--the role of serum B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS/BAFF).

OBJECTIVE: B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is known to support B-cell proliferation (BCP) in B-cell haemopathies and autoimmune diseases. We assume that BLyS may play a role in the initiation and expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated BCP. We assessed BLyS serum levels in HCV-infected patients and in various forms of HCV-associated BCP [i.e. mixed cryoglobulin (MC), rheumatoid factor (RF) and systemic vasculitis]. METHODS: A total of 76 HCV-infected patients (HCV RNA+) were compared with 13 healthy volunteers. Epidemiological, clinical, immunochemical and virological data were prospectively collected. BLyS serum levels were assessed by an ELISA sandwich method. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients, 38 females, 38 males, mean age 53 +/- 15 yrs; 47 (62%) patients had type II (27 patients) or type III MC (20 patients); 27 (35.5%) patients had HCV-systemic vasculitis. BLyS serum levels tended to be higher in HCV-infected patients than in healthy controls (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs 1.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml), were higher in patients with MC than without (2.03 +/- 1.02 vs 1.5 +/- 0.5 ng/ml; P = 0.008), and even higher in type II than type III MC (2.3 +/- 1.2 vs 1.7 +/- 0.6 ng/ml; P = 0.03). There was a correlation between BLyS and MC serum levels (R = 0.4; P = 0.004). BLyS serum levels were higher in patients with a positive RF than in those without (2.06 +/- 1.09 vs 1.6 +/- 0.56 ng/ml, P = 0.035), and with systemic vasculitis than in those without (2.24 +/- 1.16 vs 1.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: BLyS serum levels are significantly correlated with B-cell proliferation during chronic HCV infection. These results strongly suggest a role for BLyS in the induction and expression of HCV-BCP.

Adult↗

Autoimmune manifestations in acquired idiopathic splenic atrophy: A puzzling association.

Splenic atrophy is an uncommon diagnosis associated with celiac sprue or other well-characterized connective tissue diseases, drepanocytosis, or amyloidosis. We report two patients with splenic atrophy revealed by thrombocytosis. Both patients had anti-nuclear antibodies. Patient 1 also had a grade III Chisholm lymphocytic sialadenitis with a rheumatoid factor, anti-extractable nuclear antibodies, and a polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia consistent with the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. Patient 2 displayed a previous history of idiopathic pericarditis. An anti-pneumococcal vaccination was given to both patients and neither experienced infectious complications. Splenic atrophy should be suspected in patients with thrombocytosis of unexplained origin and a blood smear consistent with asplenia. Such patients must be checked for clinical and biological symptoms of autoimmune disorders.

Journal Article↗

Anti-C1q antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection.

Autoantibodies against C1q have been described in many immune-complex diseases including hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No study has focused on the role of anti-C1q antibodies in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was (i) to evaluate the prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies in HCV infection; and (ii) to analyse the association of anti-C1q antibodies with clinical and biological features of HCV-mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) vasculitis. We searched for anti-C1q antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in 111 HCV patients (75 had cryoglobulin and 23 systemic vasculitis), 60 SLE patients and 109 blood donors. Anti-C1q antibodies were detected in 26% of HCV patients compared to 10% of healthy donors (P < 0.01), and 38% in patients with SLE. Although there was a higher prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies among HCV patients with type III cryoglobulin (50%, P < 0.01), the overall prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies was similar in HCV patients being cryoglobulin-positive or cryoglobulin-negative (26%versus 25%, P = 0.98). A significant association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and low C4 fraction of complement (P < 0.05). No association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and HCV genotype, severity of liver disease or with specific clinical signs of HCV-MC vasculitis. This study shows an increased prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies in HCV-infected patients. Anti-C1q antibodies were associated with low C4 levels. No association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and HCV-MC vasculitis, nor between anti-C1q antibodies and cryoglobulinaemia.

Aged↗

Multicentre study of hepatitis B virus genotypes in France: correlation with liver fibrosis and hepatitis B e antigen status.

The clinical significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes is still under debate. The aims of this study were to assess the distribution of HBV genotypes in France and to identify the associations between HBV genotypes and patient demographics, severity of liver disease and HBeAg status in patients referred to tertiary care centres. This was a French, multicentre, retrospective study on 262 patients with chronic HBV infection. HBV genotypes were determined using INNO-LiPA. Liver fibrosis damage was evaluated by histological analysis of biopsy samples. Patients were mainly male (74%), of Caucasian (65%), Asian (17%) or African (18%) ethnicity and 36% were HBeAg positive. All A-G genotypes were found, the most frequent being genotypes D (27%) and A (24%), followed by E (13%) and C (12%), and B (7%). Mixed genotypes were detected in 16% of the cases. Genotype A was associated with sexual contact (P < 0.001) and genotype D with transfusion (P < 0.001) and HBe antibody positivity (P = 0.03).The distribution of HBV genotypes differed with regard to the ethnicity, and may reflect migration patterns. Genotypes A and D were the most frequent in France. Genotype A was associated with HBeAg positivity and genotype D with HBe antibody positivity. In our European patients, we find no clear association between a given HBV genotype and liver disease severity.

Adult↗

Tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients: a comprehensive review.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is currently increasing in HIV-infected patients living in Africa and Asia, where TB endemicity is high, reflecting the susceptibility of this group of patients to mycobacteria belonging to the TB group. In this population, extension of multiple resistance to anti-tuberculous drugs is also a matter of anxiety. HIV-induced immunosuppression modifies the clinical presentation of TB, resulting in atypical signs and symptoms, and more frequent extrapulmonary dissemination. The treatment of TB is also more difficult to manage in HIV-infected patients, particularly with regard to pharmacological interactions secondary to inhibition or induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes by protease inhibitors with rifampicin or rifabutin, respectively. Finally, immune restoration induced by highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in developed countries may be responsible for a paradoxical worsening of TB manifestations.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Association of idiopathic hepatic sinusoidal dilatation with the immunological features of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Isolated sinusoidal dilatation is an uncommon hepatic lesion and the cause is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prothrombotic disorders or perisinusoidal cell changes could be involved in pure idiopathic hepatic sinusoidal dilatation (HSD). METHODS: Evaluation for associated conditions, prothrombotic disorders, and studies of hepatic perisinusoidal cell activation in consecutive patients, seen between 1993 and 2002, with isolated sinusoidal dilatation unrelated to outflow block, sinusoidal infiltration, or hepatic granulomas. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, associated conditions were prothrombotic disorders (n = 5) and oral contraceptive use (n = 3). Prothrombotic disorders were polycythemia vera (n = 1) and anticardiolipin antibodies combined with lupus anticoagulant (n = 4). No genetic thrombophilia factor was found. Of four patients with lupus anticoagulant, three had antinuclear factors and high serum levels of anticardiolipin antibodies at repeated testing. There was no evidence of intrahepatic or extrahepatic thrombosis in any of the patients. Sinusoidal dilatation was marked in six of 11 patients (54%), including two patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Activated perisinusoidal cells were only found around markedly dilated sinusoids. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic pure HSD is frequently associated with the immunological features of the antiphospholipid syndrome. Therefore, finding pure HSD in a liver biopsy specimen should prompt the search for antiphospholipid antibodies.

Adult↗

Postvaccine vasculitis: a report of three cases.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccines may be responsible for adverse effects, mainly local fugitive and benign reactions. However, few cases of systemic vasculitis have been described. We report three new cases, suggesting the responsibility of vaccination in starting or reactivating systemic vasculitis. EXEGESIS: We report two cases in a 64- and a 68-year-old woman with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis after influenza and tetanus vaccination respectively, and one case in a 30-year-old man with periarteritis nodosa after hepatitis B vaccination. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of such complications deserve to be expanded in order to: 1) avoid re-immunisations which are likely to result in more serious consequences; 2) avoid aggravation or reactivation of a vasculitis; and 3) control serology before hepatitis B vaccination in all persons at risk of HBV infection.

Adult↗

[Horton's disease and corticosteroid-responsive hearing loss].

BACKGROUND: Temporal arteritis (TA) is a inflammatory panarteritis of the elderly, which may diffuse to all large arteries. Five to 10% of the patients present nonclassical signs with respiratory, vascular, cardiologic, neurologic or hepatic manifestations. We reviewed eighteen cases of TA and deafness in the literature and report two new cases. CASE REPORTS: Our two patients developed sudden, bilateral and corticosteroid responsive hearing loss. One patient developed hearing loss before the diagnosis of TA. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of deafness is probably explained by vertebrobasilar or terminal cochleovestibular arteritis. While the diagnosis of TA is usually easy, it may be difficult in other circumstances. Sensorineural hearing loss may be the first symptom of TA. Prompt recognition and treatment may lead to partial or total improvement of hearing loss in 55% of the cases.

Aged↗