onset in infancy (SAVI), and another by additive loss-of-function mutations in proteasome genes causing the proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS) (also, chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperatures [CANDLE]), presented with chronically elevated interferon (IFN) signatures, suggesting a pathogenic role for type-I IFN in autoinflammatory diseases (2, 3). Type-I IFN was first discovered as a soluble antiviral factor over 50 years ago, and a role in sterile inflammation was proposed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (4). However, the discovery of genetic mutations that cause the autoinflammatory type-I interferonopathies CANDLE (2, 5), SAVI (3, 6-8), and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) (9, 10) have shed light on pathomechanisms that drive chronic IFN signaling, and recent studies blocking IFN signaling validate a critical role for type-I IFNs (11). AGS-causing loss-of-function mutations in nucleases impair self-nucleic acid homeostasis, SAVI-causing

A variety of autoantibodies have been identified with complex neurological disorders including limbic encephalitis. The underlying trigger for the immune‐mediated process and the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of limbic encephalitis remain to be clarified. Here, we report a 16‐year‐old female who was diagnosed with acute‐onset non‐neoplastic limbic encephalitis. The initial treatment with pulse doses of i.v. methylprednisolone improved the neurological symptoms. During the next 12 months, progressive decline was reported in her academic functioning and seizure control. Additional diagnostic evaluation revealed no evidence of malignancy or central nervous system infection but circulating anti‐GAD antibodies were present in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Intravenous gammaglobulin infusion was initiated and continued monthly. Intravenous and oral steroids were added to the intravenous immunoglobulin treatment because of the worsening course and seizures, despite treatment with antiepileptic medications. Screening for quantitative immunoglobulins demonstrated hypogammaglobulinaemia with low immunoglobulin M and G in addition to low immunoglobulin A levels. There was a lack of protective pneumococcal antibody titers before and after immunization. Therefore, common variable immunodeficiency was suspected despite there being no history of recurrent infections. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a possible link between immune‐mediated limbic encephalitis and immune deficiency.

Classic rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata is a rare, autosomal, recessively inherited disorder that is characterized by proximal shortening of the limbs, punctuate calcifications of the epiphyses, cataracts, developmental delay, and early lethality. A distinctive biochemical profile is characteristic for each of the several defects of peroxisomal metabolism. Recently, cases have been described that were not associated with peroxisomal dysfunction. These cases were found to be secondary to teratogen exposure or maternal conditions. Since 1993, there have been 9 reported cases of neonates with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata who were born to mothers with connective tissue disease. We followed a newborn boy with features suggestive of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata whose biochemical studies failed to demonstrate a defect in either plasmalogen or cholesterol biosynthesis. His mother developed systemic lupus erythematosus 8 months after delivery. This case is compared with the previously reported 9 cases from the literature and is instructive in demonstrating a lesser known effect of maternal autoantibodies on the fetus.

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