Browsing by Author "Bolpacic, Jasna (6507378541)"

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a systemic vasculitis, affecting mainly the aorta and its branches. Objective: To analyze the HLA class I and class II alleles in patients with TA and explore their relationship with clinical and demographic characteristics, and potential significance in prognosis. Methods: Twenty-five, unrelated TA patients were genotyped for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and the HLA-DQB1 loci. The frequencies of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and the HLA-DRB1 were compared with a control group of 1992, while the HLA-C and the HLA-DQB1 were compared with a group of 159 healthy, unrelated individuals. Results: Among TA patients, 5/25 (20%) were identified as the HLA-B*52 carriers. There was a significant difference in the HLA-B*52 allele frequency in the TA patients (10%) compared with the healthy controls (1.2%). Moreover, presence of the HLA-B*52 was associated with significantly earlier disease onset, more severe clinical presentations, and a poorer response to treatment. The HLA-C*03 was detected in 32% of patients and was present exclusively in those with a clinically mild form of the TA, indicating a putative protective effect. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the HLA-B*52 allele contributes to a higher susceptibility to the TA whereas the HLA-C*03, can be a protective factor in the TA. © 2021, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a systemic vasculitis, affecting mainly the aorta and its branches. Objective: To analyze the HLA class I and class II alleles in patients with TA and explore their relationship with clinical and demographic characteristics, and potential significance in prognosis. Methods: Twenty-five, unrelated TA patients were genotyped for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and the HLA-DQB1 loci. The frequencies of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and the HLA-DRB1 were compared with a control group of 1992, while the HLA-C and the HLA-DQB1 were compared with a group of 159 healthy, unrelated individuals. Results: Among TA patients, 5/25 (20%) were identified as the HLA-B*52 carriers. There was a significant difference in the HLA-B*52 allele frequency in the TA patients (10%) compared with the healthy controls (1.2%). Moreover, presence of the HLA-B*52 was associated with significantly earlier disease onset, more severe clinical presentations, and a poorer response to treatment. The HLA-C*03 was detected in 32% of patients and was present exclusively in those with a clinically mild form of the TA, indicating a putative protective effect. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the HLA-B*52 allele contributes to a higher susceptibility to the TA whereas the HLA-C*03, can be a protective factor in the TA. © 2021, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia is the most prevalent extrahepatic manifestation of chronic HCV infection. It is usually a benign lymphoproliferative disorder which presents as vasculitis affecting different organs. Although life-threatening cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) is rare, it is sometimes the first and possibly lethal complication. Its treatment depends on the severity of vasculitis and can be challenging. High dose of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and plasma exchange represent the first-line treatment, which should be followed by antiviral therapy. Rituximab is an effective and safe treatment option. However, the data about its use in life-threatening conditions are scarce. We report the case of a patient with severe, relapsing and life-threatening HCV-related CryoVas resistant to standard therapy who had had an initial beneficial response to rituximab added to plasma exchange that was later compromised by the development of sepsis. We also review the literature and discuss manifestations and therapy of life-threatening Cryovas with focus on rituximab use. © 2017 Arandjelovic et al.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia is the most prevalent extrahepatic manifestation of chronic HCV infection. It is usually a benign lymphoproliferative disorder which presents as vasculitis affecting different organs. Although life-threatening cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) is rare, it is sometimes the first and possibly lethal complication. Its treatment depends on the severity of vasculitis and can be challenging. High dose of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and plasma exchange represent the first-line treatment, which should be followed by antiviral therapy. Rituximab is an effective and safe treatment option. However, the data about its use in life-threatening conditions are scarce. We report the case of a patient with severe, relapsing and life-threatening HCV-related CryoVas resistant to standard therapy who had had an initial beneficial response to rituximab added to plasma exchange that was later compromised by the development of sepsis. We also review the literature and discuss manifestations and therapy of life-threatening Cryovas with focus on rituximab use. © 2017 Arandjelovic et al.

Introduction: Autoantibodies (AAb) are a hallmark of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa. Individuals with malaria may present with a wide range of symptoms. It is frequently linked to the development of different AAb. Case description: A 35-year-old male presented with repeated episodes of fever, malaise, myalgia, dark urine, and yellowish sclera. Initial diagnostic workup revealed severe Coombs-positive anemia, increased C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin, pathological liver tests, high concentration of serum IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA, positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies (ANCA). In addition, myositis-specific antibodies directed to polymiositis-scleroderma 75 protein (PmScl75), threonyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-7), alanyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-12), Mi-2 antigen (Mi-2), Ku DNA helicase complex (Ku), signal recognition particle (SRP), and antiaminoacyl tRNA synthetase (EJ) were detected. The patient was suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus and sent to the Clinic of Allergy and Immunology for further evaluation and treatment. A peripheral blood film examined by the hematologist during an episode of fever revealed intra-erythrocytic parasitic forms of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). After being diagnosed with P. vivax malaria, he was transferred to the Clinic for Infective and Tropical Diseases. The therapy consisted of artesunate/mefloquine and prednisone led to a complete clinical recovery and autoantibodies gradually disappeared. Conclusions: Malaria would not normally be considered during the initial diagnostic workup in a non-traveler and a patient from a non-endemic country. However, a thorough parasitic evaluation in patients presenting with a broad range of autoantibodies might be of particular importance. Copyright © 2023 Stojanovic et al.

Introduction: Autoantibodies (AAb) are a hallmark of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa. Individuals with malaria may present with a wide range of symptoms. It is frequently linked to the development of different AAb. Case description: A 35-year-old male presented with repeated episodes of fever, malaise, myalgia, dark urine, and yellowish sclera. Initial diagnostic workup revealed severe Coombs-positive anemia, increased C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin, pathological liver tests, high concentration of serum IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA, positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies (ANCA). In addition, myositis-specific antibodies directed to polymiositis-scleroderma 75 protein (PmScl75), threonyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-7), alanyl-tRNA synthetase (PL-12), Mi-2 antigen (Mi-2), Ku DNA helicase complex (Ku), signal recognition particle (SRP), and antiaminoacyl tRNA synthetase (EJ) were detected. The patient was suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus and sent to the Clinic of Allergy and Immunology for further evaluation and treatment. A peripheral blood film examined by the hematologist during an episode of fever revealed intra-erythrocytic parasitic forms of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). After being diagnosed with P. vivax malaria, he was transferred to the Clinic for Infective and Tropical Diseases. The therapy consisted of artesunate/mefloquine and prednisone led to a complete clinical recovery and autoantibodies gradually disappeared. Conclusions: Malaria would not normally be considered during the initial diagnostic workup in a non-traveler and a patient from a non-endemic country. However, a thorough parasitic evaluation in patients presenting with a broad range of autoantibodies might be of particular importance. Copyright © 2023 Stojanovic et al.

[No abstract available]

A possible association between strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis is rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a patient with severe strongyloidiasis and an angiographic finding consistent with polyarteritis nodosa. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was made by finding of larvae and adult parasites in samples of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and stool. The patient was treated with albendazole, ivermectin and corticosteroid withdrawal. This therapy led to the resolution of symptoms, with repeated stool samples negative for S. stercoralis. However, the clinical course was complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite tuberculostatic therapy and supportive measures, a lethal outcome occurred. The report is followed by a focused review of the available literature on the association of strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

A possible association between strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis is rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a patient with severe strongyloidiasis and an angiographic finding consistent with polyarteritis nodosa. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was made by finding of larvae and adult parasites in samples of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and stool. The patient was treated with albendazole, ivermectin and corticosteroid withdrawal. This therapy led to the resolution of symptoms, with repeated stool samples negative for S. stercoralis. However, the clinical course was complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite tuberculostatic therapy and supportive measures, a lethal outcome occurred. The report is followed by a focused review of the available literature on the association of strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.