Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous course and systemic involvement. It is the result of a complex pathogenic pathway that culminates in autoantibody formation. The interaction between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility is key in this process. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) technology has allowed the recognition of over 80 loci associated with SLE that lead to the formation of key proteins, each of which contributes a small increase to the risk. Advances in the management of the disease include new validated standardized tools to capture disease activity, damage and quality of life, for clinical and research purposes. The prognosis of SLE has much improved in the last 50 years due to better general management and specific treatment, including better use of immunosuppressives and development of a new group of drugsbiologic therapy.
Cycles of BCD that induce longer duration of BCD are associated with better outcome. Lymphopenia may help to predict longer duration of the depletion and better outcome, although the mechanism is unclear.
Objective-To compare urine protein-to-creatinine concentration (UPC) ratios in samples collected by means of cystocentesis versus manual compression in cats. Design-Evaluation study. Animals-43 client-owned cats requiring urinalysis. Procedures-In all cats, 5 mL of urine from the midstream phase of micturition was collected by means of manual compression and, subsequently, an additional 5 mL of urine was obtained by means of ultrasound-guided cystocentesis. A complete urinalysis was performed on all samples, and UPC ratios were determined. Results-Cats were classified on the basis of the International Renal Interest Society substaging system as being free from proteinuria (UPC ratio, < 0.2; n = 19) or as having borderline proteinuria (UPC ratio, 0.2 to 0.4; 7) or proteinuria (UPC ratio, > 0.4; 17). None of the cats had postrenal proteinuria. A significant linear correlation was identified between UPC ratios in urine samples obtained by means of manual compression and ratios in samples obtained by means of cystocentesis. For all cats, UPC ratios for samples obtained by the 2 collection methods resulted in classification in the same IRIS substage. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that collection of a urine sample from the midstream phase of micturition by manual compression would be a reliable alternative to cystocentesis for the determination of UPC ratio in cats, provided that postrenal proteinuria was excluded by means of urine sediment analysis. Once postrenal proteinuria was ruled out, the method used to collect urine samples did not appear to influence the quantification of urine protein concentration.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous course and systemic involvement. It is the result of a complex pathogenic pathway that culminates in autoantibody formation. The interaction between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility is key in this process. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) technology has allowed the recognition of over 80 loci associated with SLE that lead to the formation of key proteins, each of which contributes a small increase to the risk. Advances in the management of the disease include new validated standardized tools to capture disease activity, damage and quality of life, for clinical and research purposes. The prognosis of SLE has much improved in the last 50 years due to better general management and specific treatment, including better use of immunosuppressives and development of a new group of drugsbiologic therapy.
Background We were alerted to the possibility of very long term B cell depletion (BCD) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosu (SLE) by a patient treated with rituximab in 2001 whose CD19 counts remain <0.001x109/L 12 years later. The duration of B cell depletion is variable between SLE patients. Objectives Because most relapses occur after the return of B cells, our purpose was to analyse clinical and serological features and outcome in patients considering the duration of B cell depletion. Methods We analysed our lupus cohort retrospectively to identify those BCD treated patients. We collected data noting the time to return of the B cells, clinical and serological features and classic British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) scores and baseline, 6 months and 12 months after the treatment. Logistic regression analysis was made using SPSS Statistics Data Editor software. Results A total of 190 courses of BCD in 101 patients in whom we had full serological and clinical data prior to December 2012 were considered. Among the 101 patients, 94 were female and ethnicities included 40 Caucasian, 28 Afro-Caribbean, 23 Asian, 7 Oriental and 3 others. 57 patients had more than 1 treatment. One patient and one of the infusions of another patient were excluded because of incomplete BCD after the treatment. 32.1% repopulated between 6 to 9 months and 28.6% repopulated after 12 months (figure 1). Two groups were analysed based on the time to repopulation at a defined threshold of 12 months. We included infusions for which the patients had not repopulated but were depleted for at least 12 months. We excluded the infusions for which a follow up was less than 12 months and for which the patients remained depleted. 144 treatments were analysed. 41.7% (group 1) repopulated in less than 12 months and 58.3% (group 2) were depleted for at least 12 months. An association with longer time to repopulate and lymphopenia (p=0.008) at any point in the course of the patient's disease was noted. Inverse association with alopecia (p=0.033) and oral ulcers (p=0.039) was also noted. No association was found between serological features such as the presence of anti-dsDNA or anti-Sm antibodies or low complement. The cohort's mean classic BILAG numerical score at baseline was 13.44 (SD=7.55). Group 2 was associated with a higher BILAG score at baseline (p=0.026). At 6 months group 2 patients had lower numerical BILAG score (p=0.002); at 12 months the same tendency was observed but with no statistical significance. Likewise, there was an association between group 2 patients and no BILAG As nor Bs at 6 months (p=0.012). Also a decrease of the BILAG score at 6 months (p=0.012) and 12 months (p=0.012) in these patients was noted. Conclusions Despite higher disease activity at baseline, as measured by classic BILAG, patients who were B cell depleted for longer showed some differences in clinical features and most importantly, had a better outcome at 6 and 12 months. References Harvey PR, Gordon C. B-cell targeted therapies in systemic lupus eryt...
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