[Seropositivity for the human immunodeficiency virus in systemic lupus erythematosus].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P Fixy.
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An increased incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma is well known in renal transplant recipients in whom it may represent up to 3 p. 100 of all de novo tumours. This sarcoma has a close relationship with the potential oncogenicity of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) and with chronic immunological deficiency. Anti-CMV immunity is based on the integrity of cytotoxic cellular functions such as those of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), "natural killers" cells, and K cells which function in the antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) system. Two cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were observed out of a total of 700 renal transplant recipients; they underwent the following investigations: lymphocyte sub-group counts by murine monoclonal antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation to lectins and allogenic cells, NK activity and generation of specific auxiliary and cytotoxic anti-CMV cells. Both cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were seropositive for CMV and seronegative for LAV. In one case, an abnormal number of peripheral OKT9 + lymphocytes (normally a thymocytic marker) was observed with small numbers of OKT4/OKT8, a reduced proliferative response to mitogens and allogenic cells. All these in vitro changes persisted despite reduction of immunosuppressive therapy and clinical improvement. A clinical and biological cure was only obtained after withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy and return to haemodialysis. In the second case of Kaposi's sarcoma, the initial biochemical changes were minimal and a clinical cure was obtained by decreasing the immunosuppressive therapy. These two cases illustrate the complex dysregulation of the immune system in Kaposi's sarcoma.
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Two cases of "yellow-nail syndrome" are reported: in the first, nail changes began eight months after the diagnosis of a breast cancer; in the second, yellow dystrophic nails were associated with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy due to pleuro-pulmonary metastatic lesions. Clinical features are described: characteristic nail changes, lymphoedema, pleural effusions, and, often bronchopulmonary infections and sinusitis. Various combinations are seen, and the time between the development of the different manifestations may vary from several months to many years. Among associated diseases, immunological changes and malignancy are emphasized. The pathogenesis remains obscure. Accurate part taken by lymphoedema, immunological changes, is unknown, and the relationships between "yellow-nail syndrome" and malignancy are still uncertain.
The case of a 46-year-old woman, who had pustulosis palmaris three years ago, and who has been experiencing inflammatory arthritis of the manubriosternal joint for two years with intermittent exacerbations, is reported. The negative bacteriologic investigations and the failure of antibiotic therapy have established that the condition is aseptic. Among patients with a history of palmo-plantar pustulosis, approximately 10% have aseptic inflammatory arthritis or osteitis, most commonly in the anterior chest wall. Other sites are the sacroiliac joints and the spine, where radiological features mimic ankylosing spondylitis, and peripheral joints. Laboratory anomalies are not specific, and HLA B27 antigen is not associated with this syndrome. The course of the arthritis, with exacerbations and remissions, is generally benign. The relationship of this syndrome to psoriatic arthritis is unclear. Non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs are the most effective agents.
Two patients under cytotoxic therapy developed pigmentation of their fingernails. The first, under doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for lymphoma, had horizontal streaks, while the second, under cyclophosphamide for periarteritis nodosa, exhibited diffuse pigmentation. Nail pigmentation, which occurs after an interval of some weeks or months, varies from diffuse to horizontal or longitudinal streaks. Reversal of nail pigmentation some months after withdrawal of the drug is usual. Skin or mucous membrane pigmentation may coexist. The mechanism of pigmentation remains obscure. These changes are observed more frequently in black than in white patients. In some instances, they have been recorded in several members of the same family.
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A 46-year-old man presented signs of secondary syphilis, including a skin eruption, multiple adenopathies, and alopecia. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive serological and Nelson's tests. Inflammatory arthritic signs developed in a few joints two weeks after the onset of the skin eruption, affecting mainly the left wrist, right sternoclavicular joint, lumbar spine, and right shoulder and hip joints, which were painful and stiff. Tests for a rheumatic origin, especially urethral smears and HLA B27 antigen, were negative. The articular manifestations disappeared completely after 8 to 10 days of penicillin. Rheumatic disorders from secondary syphilis affect one or several of the large joints, and quite frequently the sternoclavicular joints, the clinical, radiological, and biological characteristics showing no particular features. Diagnosis is based on the exclusion of other causes for the rheumatic disorder, total rapid regression after penicillin alone, and the simultaneous appearance of the affections.
Myasthenia gravis characterized by physical examination, electrophysiologic abnormalities, ephedronium test, without thymoma, associated in a 47 year-old-man, with mycosis fungoides. Myasthenia gravis began two years after the onset of mycosis fungoides, and the patient died of infection four years after the development of the cutaneous lymphoma. At autopsy, there was no visceral involvement. Myasthenia gravis and lymphoma rarely coexist; the occurrence of myasthenia gravis shortly after the onset of mycosis fungoides suggests that the two disorders may be linked by immunological abnormalities.