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Biomedical subjects

X Mariette

Publications and source records attributed to X Mariette.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Emergence of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists have an increased risk of infection, but infection due to Legionella pneumophila has rarely been described in patients receiving such therapy. METHODS: A registry involving 486 clinical departments in France was designed by a multidisciplinary group (Recherche Axée sur la Tolérance des Biothérapies [RATIO]) to collect data on opportunistic and severe infections occurring in patients treated with TNF-alpha antagonists. All cases are reported to RATIO in accordance with national health authorities and validated by infectious disease experts. The legionellosis rate among patients treated with TNF-alpha antagonists was compared with the rate in France overall. RESULTS: We report a 1-year consecutive series of 10 cases of L. pneumophila pneumonia in France in 2004, including 6 cases treated with adalimumab, 2 treated with etanercept, and 2 treated with infliximab. The median patient age was 51 years (range, 40-69 years). Eight patients were treated for rheumatoid arthritis, 1 was treated for cutaneous psoriasis, and 1 was treated for pyoderma gangrenosum. The median duration of TNF-alpha antagonist treatment at onset of infection was 38.5 weeks (range, 3-73 weeks). Eight patients were receiving concomitant treatment with corticosteroids, and 6 were receiving treatment with methotrexate. The relative risk of legionellosis when receiving treatment with a TNF-alpha antagonist, compared with the relative risk in France overall, was estimated to be between 16.5 and 21.0. We also report a second episode of confirmed legionellosis following the reintroduction of infliximab therapy. CONCLUSIONS: L. pneumophila pneumonia is a potentially severe but curable infection that might complicate anti-TNF-alpha therapy. In patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha who develop pneumonia, legionellosis should be systematically investigated, and first-line antibiotic therapy should be efficient against L. pneumophila.

Adalimumab↗

Serum immunoglobulin free light chain assessment in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjogren's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: B cell activation may result in an increased secretion of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) in autoimmune diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyse serum FLC levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 80 healthy blood donors, 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 139 patients with pSS. Serum FLC level was measured using a new quantitative immunoassay. RESULTS: Mean (standard error (SE)) serum kappa and lambda FLC levels were significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with pSS than in controls (kappa : 18.9 (1.1) and 16.3 (1.4) v 10.5 (0.4) mg/l, p<0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively; lambda: 16.7 (1.2) and 19.3 (1.5) v 11.6 (0.6) mg/l, p<0.001 for both). 18 (36%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 31 (22.3%) patients with pSS had abnormal serum FLC levels (increased kappa or lambda levels and abnormal ratio of kappa:lambda). Serum kappa and lambda levels were correlated with other B cell activation markers in both diseases. FLC levels increased with disease activity, because, unlike total gammaglobulin and immunoglobulin G levels, they were significantly correlated with Disease Activity Score 28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.004 for kappa, p = 0.05 for lambda) and with extraglandular involvement in pSS (p = 0.01 for kappa, p = 0.04 for lambda). CONCLUSION: FLC levels are increased and correlate with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with pSS, two diseases in which increased risk of lymphoma could result from persistent B cell activation and disease activity. Further studies are required to determine whether FLC assessment could represent a relevant biomarker for response to treatment (especially B cell depletion) and for the risk of lymphoma in autoimmune diseases.

Adult↗

[Sjögren syndrome in Obstetric and Gynecology: literature review].

Sjogren syndrome (SS) is an immune disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of exocrine glands. It leads to dryness of mucosa and conjunctivitis. Gynecologists and obstetricians may encounter this disease in women at any age, including during pregnancy. Knowledge of the main characteristics is required for early diagnosis and multidisciplinary program. In the event of secondary Sjögren syndrome occurring during pregnancy, treatment focuses on the associated disease, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus. In primary Sjögren syndrome, pregnancy does not appear to influence disease course. However, patients with both primary and secondary Sjögren syndrome must be monitored carefully. There is a risk of neonatal lupus and congenital atrioventricular bloc associated with high morbidity and mortality. These patients should benefit from multidisciplinary care in a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit.

Androgens↗

Correlation of serum B lymphocyte stimulator and beta2 microglobulin with autoantibody secretion and systemic involvement in primary Sjogren's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), extraglandular involvement might result from more intense stimulation of autoreactive B cells. Thus markers of B cell activation could be useful in the clinical assessment of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of serum B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and beta2 microglobulin with autoantibody production and extraglandular involvement in pSS. METHODS: Serum concentrations of BLyS and beta2 microglobulin were analysed in 177 patients with pSS according to the American-European consensus group criteria. Serum beta2 microglobulin was determined serially in 25 patients. RESULTS: Autoantibody secretion (presence of anti-SSA antibody alone or of both anti-SSA and anti-SSB) was associated with increased serum BLyS and beta2 microglobulin. No correlation was found between BLyS and beta2 microglobulin levels (p = 0.36). Serum concentrations of beta2 microglobulin and C reactive protein and positive anti-SSB antibody results were associated with extraglandular involvement on univariate analysis (p<10(-4), p = 0.003, and p = 0.004, respectively). Serum beta2 microglobulin was also significantly increased in patients with extraglandular involvement without autoantibodies (mean (SD): 1.75 (0.7) v 1.39 (0.5) mg/l, p = 0.039). Multivariate analysis showed that extraglandular involvement was associated only with increased serum beta2 microglobulin (p = 0.035, odds ratio = 2.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 7.22)). Among the 25 patients who had serial determinations of serum beta2 microglobulin, the concentrations were increased in all those with disease flare and decreased in three following treatment. Serum BLyS, gamma globulin, IgG, and rheumatoid factor levels were not associated with features of systemic involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Serum beta2 microglobulin and BLyS reflect B cell activation in different ways in pSS. Serum beta2 microglobulin assessment could be helpful as an activity marker in pSS.

Adult↗

No evidence for association between 1858 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism of PTPN22 gene and primary Sjögren's syndrome.

One-third of first-degree relatives of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) suffer from other autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune thyroiditis. Recently, 1858 C/T polymorphism of PTPN22 gene was reported to predispose to these autoimmune diseases. We decided to investigate whether PTPN22 gene polymorphism was also involved in the genetic predisposition to pSS in a case-control study, including 183 patients with pSS and 172 healthy controls. No significant differences in allele (T allele frequency: 7.7% in patients with pSS vs 7.8% in controls, P=0.9) and genotype frequencies of PTPN22 polymorphism were detected between patients with pSS and controls. PTPN 22 gene polymorphism was not associated with a specific pattern of autoantibody secretion either. Thus, 1858 C/T polymorphism of PTPN22 gene is not involved in genetic predisposition to pSS.

Autoantibodies↗

Tolerance and short term efficacy of rituximab in 43 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the tolerance and efficacy of rituximab in patients with various autoimmune diseases seen in daily rheumatological practice. METHODS: 866 rheumatology and internal medicine practitioners were contacted by e-mail to obtain the files of patients treated with rituximab for systemic autoimmune diseases. Patients with lymphoma were analysed if the evolution of the autoimmune disease could be evaluated. RESULTS: In all, 43 of 49 cases could be analysed, including 14 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), six with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), five with systemic vasculitis, and five with other autoimmune diseases. Rituximab was prescribed for lymphoma in two patients with RA and two with pSS. In the 39 other cases, rituximab was given because of the refractory character of the autoimmune disease. The mean follow up period was 8.3 months (range 2 to 26). There were 11 adverse events in 10 patients and treatment had to be discontinued in six. Efficacy was observed in 30 patients (70%): RA 11, SLE 9, pSS 5, vasculitis 2, antisynthetase syndromes 2, sarcoidosis 1. The mean decrease in corticosteroid intake was 9.5 mg/d (range 0 to 50) in responders. Seven patients experienced relapse after mean 8.1 months (5 to 15). Three patients died because of refractory autoimmune disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite absence of marketing authorisation, rituximab is used to treat various refractory autoimmune diseases in daily rheumatological practice. This study showed good tolerance and short term clinical efficacy, with marked corticosteroid reduction in patients with SLE, pSS, vasculitis, and polymyositis.

Adult↗

Prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and anti-keratin antibodies in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and anti-keratin antibodies (AKA) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: 149 patients with a diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome according to the European/American consensus criteria were recruited from three French medical centres. The presence of anti-CCP was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and of AKA antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. Radiographs of hands and feet were evaluated at the time of anti-CCP analysis. RESULTS: Six patients with radiological erosions and nine patients with non-erosive arthritis fulfilling ACR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis were thought to have rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjögren's syndrome, while 134 were considered to have primary Sjögren's syndrome (mean (SD) disease duration, 11.1 (6.6) years). Of these, 80 tested positive for IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) (59%), 10 (7.5%) for anti-CCP, 7 (5.2%) for AKA, and 5 (3.7%) for both anti-CCP and AKA. There was no difference in clinical and biological features, including prevalence of RF, between anti-CCP positive and negative patients. The nine Sjögren patients with non-erosive arthritis, fulfilling ACR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis, were all CCP positive. Their response to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs could be different from classical rheumatoid patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome are negative for AKA and anti-CCP, but positive test results should not rule out this diagnosis. Anti-CCP positive patients, who may be prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis, require cautious clinical and radiographic follow up.

Adult↗

Tumour necrosis factor alpha blocking agents in refractory adult Still's disease: an observational study of 20 cases.

BACKGROUND: Consensus is lacking on treatment for corticosteroid resistant adult onset Still's disease (ASD). OBJECTIVE: To assess anti-TNFalpha efficacy and tolerance in refractory ASD. METHODS: All departments of rheumatology and internal medicine in France were contacted by mail to identify cases of refractory ASD for which anti-TNFalpha had been used. Medical information was collected using a standardised questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 20 patients with mean age 40.7 years (range 18-74) at treatment start and mean disease duration 8.5 years (range 2-21), the clinical expression of ASD was predominantly systemic in five patients and polyarticular in 15. Response to corticosteroids and methotrexate had been considered inadequate in all patients. Infliximab was used to treat 15 patients, and etanercept used for 10; five had received both drugs consecutively. Steroids were concurrently used in 18 patients and an immunosuppressant in 17. At a mean (SD) follow up of 13 (14) months, complete remission had occurred in five cases (of 25 treatment sequences): one receiving etanercept and four infliximab. Partial response was observed in 16 cases (seven etanercept and nine infliximab). Treatment failed in four cases (two with each anti-TNFalpha). At the last visit, anti-TNFalpha therapy was discontinued in 17 cases, 11 times because of lack (or loss) of efficacy, four times because of a side effect, and twice for other reasons. CONCLUSION: Anti-TNFalpha therapy may be helpful for some patients with refractory ASD. However, most patients achieve only partial remission. Additional information is thus needed to evaluate more precisely the risk-benefit ratio of this treatment.

Adolescent↗

[Treatment of oral dryness in Sjögren's syndrome].

PURPOSE: In Sjögren's syndrome (SS), oral dryness is frequently the most bothersome symptom of sicca syndrome with negative affects on quality of life. A review of treatments of oral dryness is proposed. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: To date, so specific DMARD has demonstrated its efficacy in SS. Hydroxychloroquine is frequently used but did not demonstrate any clinical benefit in te only small randomized control study versus placebo available. Thus, the only treatments are symptomatic. The most recent data show that systemic cholinergic agonist (pilocarpine and cevimeline) are effective in the symptomatic treatment of dryness. Pilocarpine (Salagen) is the only systemic cholinergic agonist available in Europe. It has been agreed in France since July 2003. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Use of immunosuppressive drugs may be useful in some complications of SS. Unfortunately, promising results from an open study with infliximab (Remicade) were not confirmed by a large randomized control study involving more than 100 patients. New control studies with old drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, or new ones such as rituximab, are mandatory.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The level of BLyS (BAFF) correlates with the titre of autoantibodies in human Sjögren's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Increased levels of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) have been detected in serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of BLyS in serum from patients with primary's Sjögren's syndrome (SS), another autoimmune disease in which B cell activation is high. METHODS: Serum samples from 49 patients with primary SS according to the revised European criteria were assayed for BLyS, quantitative immunoglobulins, and autoantibody levels and compared with samples from 47 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The median level of BLyS was 5.99 ng/ml (25th-75th centile range 3.20-8.93 ng/ml) in SS v 2.49 ng/ml (25th-75th centile range 1.96-2.96 ng/ml) in healthy controls (p<0.001). More importantly, among patients with SS, the presence of anti-SSA antibodies was associated with significantly higher levels of BLyS (medians 7.90 ng/ml v 3.70 ng/ml; p=0.008) as was the presence of anti-SSB antibodies (medians 7.14 ng/ml v 3.70 ng/ml; p=0.02) and of rheumatoid factor (medians 7.70 ng/ml v 3.80 ng/ml; p=0.016). The level of BLyS in three patients with a monoclonal gammopathy was higher than in the other patients (medians 26.53 ng/ml v 5.92 ng/ml; p=0.13). Higher levels of BLyS were associated with higher levels of gammaglobulins and IgG. There was a strong correlation between BLyS and rheumatoid factor level (r=0.71, p<0.0001), anti-SSA IgG level (r=0.32, p=0.02) and anti-SSA IgM level (r=0.39, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: In human SS the level of BLyS correlates with the level of autoantibodies. Thus, BLyS may play a part in activating specific autoreactive B cells and modulating the level of production of autoantibodies which are the hallmark of the disease. These findings raise the possibility of a novel therapeutic approach in human SS.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Evaluation of bone mineral density and fat-lean distribution in patients with multiple myeloma in sustained remission.

To study the usefulness of bone mineral density (BMD) in the follow-up of myeloma (MM) patients, BMD was evaluated in 44 MM patients in sustained remission for at least 2 years (35.4 +/- 10.5 months) after high-dose or conventional chemotherapy in a retrospective study. Patients never received bisphosphonates before or during the follow-up. Patients underwent lumbar spine (LS) BMD and a whole body (WB) BMD testing before therapy and at least once in the remission period. At baseline, mean LS BMD was 0.863 +/- 0.026 g/cm2, mean lumbar Z-score was -1.45 SD. LS BMD significantly increased from baseline by 5 +/- 1.8%, 9.3 +/- 1.7%, and 14 +/- 1.9% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The percentage of patients with a T-score below 2.5 SD decreased from 39% at baseline to 18.5% at 3 years. Compared with baseline, WB BMD decreased by -2.8 +/- 0.5%, -2.6 +/- 0.7%, and -1.7 +/- 0.6% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Mean percentage change of the fat compartment increased from baseline by +28.4 +/- 7.1% at the trunk, and +17.1 +/- 5% in peripheral areas at 3 years. In conclusion, in MM patients in remission after chemotherapy, LS BMD progressively increased after a mean follow-up of 3 years. These patients never received bisphosphonates, so this increase was related to the anti-myeloma treatment. The major effect on BMD was observed at the LS, which is primarily composed of trabecular bone containing the bone marrow. Interestingly, a drastic increase of the fat content was also observed. These results underlined that BMD and fat-lean evaluation could be of interest in the follow-up of MM patients.

Adipose Tissue↗

A new defensive mechanism to prevent apoptosis in salivary ductal cells from patients with Sjögren's syndrome: over-expression of p53 and p21.

OBJECTIVE: In Sjögren's syndrome (SS), salivary acinar cells are destroyed even though ductal cells are frequently spared from destruction and can sometimes proliferate. We made the hypothesis that abnormalities of the tumour suppressor protein p53, either by mutations leading to proliferation or by activation of the functional wild-type p53, explain this phenomenon. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry to detect p53 and its transcription target p21, which is expressed only if p53 is functional and not mutated, was performed on labial salivary glands (LSG) from 10 patients with primary SS, all of whom had a Chisholm grade 4 LSG biopsy, and from 10 control patients with sicca symptoms or systemic diseases and a normal LSG biopsy (grade 0 or 1). RESULTS: The p53 antigen could be detected in ductal cells of nine of 10 LSG from SS patients and only one of 10 LSG from controls. The p21 antigen was detected in ductal cells of eight of 10 LSG from SS patients and two of 10 LSG from controls. The p53 and p21 antigens were localized in the same ductal cells in SS patients, and the positive ducts were those located around lymphoid foci. CONCLUSION: The colocalization of p53 and its transcription factor p21 in salivary ductal cells surrounding lymphoid foci demonstrated that p53 was functional and not mutated. Its expression may be a defensive mechanism that provides ductal cells with time to repair DNA damage and prevents apoptosis. The lack of over-expression of p53 and p21 in acinar cells could be one of the key mechanisms of acinus destruction by apoptosis in SS and could be a target for new therapeutic strategies.

Apoptosis↗