Risk for Mycobacterial Disease among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Taiwan, 2001–2011

Liao, Tsai‐Ling; Lin, Ching‐Heng; Chang, Chia-Li; Lin, Chin-Fu; Chen, Der‐Yuan

doi:10.3201/eid2108.141846

Cited by 49 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-established risk factor for TB [3–8]. In Taiwan, the risk of TB development was 2.28-fold higher in RA patients than in the general population [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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One-Year Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Their First Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy from 2008 to 2012 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

et al. 2016

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ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of tuberculosis (TB) among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients within 1 year after initiation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy from 2008 to 2012.MethodsWe used the 2003–2013 Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database to identify RA patients who started any RA-related medical therapy from 2008 to 2012. Those who initiated etanercept or adalimumab therapy during 2008–2012 were selected as the TNFi group and those who never received biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy were identified as the comparison group after excluding the patients who had a history of TB or human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We used propensity score matching (1:6) for age, sex, and the year of the drug index date to re-select the TNFi group and the non-TNFi controls. After adjusting for potential confounders, hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to examine the 1-year TB risk in the TNFi group compared with the non-TNFi controls. Subgroup analyses according to the year of treatment initiation and specific TNFi therapy were conducted to assess the trend of 1-year TB risk in TNFi users from 2008 to 2012.ResultsThis study identified 5,349 TNFi-treated RA patients and 32,064 matched non-TNFi-treated controls. The 1-year incidence rates of TB were 1,513 per 105 years among the TNFi group and 235 per 105 years among the non-TNFi controls (incidence rate ratio, 6.44; 95% CI, 4.69–8.33). After adjusting for age, gender, disease duration, comoridities, history of TB, and concomitant medications, TNFi users had an increased 1-year TB risk (HR, 7.19; 95% CI, 4.18–12.34) compared with the non-TNFi-treated controls. The 1-year TB risk in TNFi users increased from 2008 to 2011 and deceased in 2012 when the Food and Drug Administration in Taiwan announced the Risk Management Plan for patients scheduled to receive TNFi therapy.ConclusionThis study showed that the 1-year TB risk in RA patients starting TNFi therapy was significantly higher than that in non-TNFi controls in Taiwan from 2008 to 2012.

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“…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-established risk factor for TB [3–8]. In Taiwan, the risk of TB development was 2.28-fold higher in RA patients than in the general population [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Taiwan, the risk of TB development was 2.28-fold higher in RA patients than in the general population [8]. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a key role in the immunity against TB [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One-Year Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Their First Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy from 2008 to 2012 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

et al. 2016

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“…Most individuals infected with M. tuberculosis have an LTBI, and this population is an important reservoir for disease reactivation (3). Increased evidence indicates an elevated TB risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (4,5); the risk is even higher for those receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-␣) therapy (6). Gardam et al (7) revealed that active TB in RA patients receiving anti-TNF-␣ therapy appears to be largely caused by LTBI reactivation.…”

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confidence: 99%

MicroRNA-889 Inhibits Autophagy To Maintain Mycobacterial Survival in Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Infection by Targeting TWEAK

Chen

Lin

et al. 2020

mBio

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Autophagy plays an important role in protecting the host against pathogens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can suppress autophagy and then remain dormant and survive within the host for an extended period, which is responsible for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Here, we explored the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in LTBI. The miRNA profiles were explored using the next-generation sequencing approach, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR validation. The biological function of candidate miRNA was evaluated using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence techniques, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in an in vitro human TB granuloma model. An increased miR-889 expression was observed in patients with LTBI compared with that in patients without infection. The reporter assay identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) as the target of miR-889. Mycobacterial infection induced TWEAK upregulation in the early phase. TWEAK induced autophagy and promoted mycobacterial autophagosome maturation through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Upon entry to LTBI status, elevated miR-889 levels were associated with TNF alpha (TNF-α) and granuloma formation/maintenance. MiR-889 inhibited autophagy via posttranscriptional suppression of TWEAK expression to maintain mycobacterial survival in granulomas. Adalimumab (anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody) treatment reduced levels of both TNF-α and miR-889 and caused granuloma destruction and LTBI reactivation. The circulating miR-889 and TWEAK levels were correlated with LTBI and subsequently associated with anti-TNF-α-related LTBI reactivation in patients. We propose that miR-889 and TWEAK can act as targets that can be manipulated for antimycobacterial therapeutic purposes and act as candidate biomarkers for LTBI and LTBI reactivation, respectively. IMPORTANCE TB remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately one-quarter of the world’s population has latent TB infection. TWEAK is a multiple-function cytokine and may be used as a target for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases. Here, we demonstrated a novel relationship between TWEAK and activation of the autophagic machinery which promotes antimycobacterial immunity. Additionally, TB infection is highly dynamic and determined by the interaction between the host and mycobacterium. We demonstrated a mechanism of fine-tuned balance between the mycobacterium and host for granuloma formation and/or maintenance in LTBI status. Once patients entered LTBI status, the upregulation of miR-889 was associated with TNF-α levels and granuloma formation to maintain mycobacterial survival. Adalimumab (a TNF-α inhibitor) reduced both TNF-α and miR-889 levels and caused LTBI reactivation and, thus, TWEAK enhancement. MiR-889 and TWEAK may become potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for LTBI and LTBI reactivation, respectively.

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“…There is a high prevalence of TB in Taiwan, despite the extensive implementation of TB control measures and universal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination [2]. An increased TB prevalence has been reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients [3], and its risk increased further in those receiving biologic therapy [4–6]. Guidelines have recommended that screening for latent TB infection (LTBI) should be carried out and isoniazid prophylaxis (INHP) be initiated if LTBI exists [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Neopterin Levels Are Associated with Increased Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with QuantiFERON Conversion during Biologic Therapy

Chen

Chen³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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QuantiFERON-TB-Gold (QFT-G) conversion is frequently observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving biologic therapy. However, there have not been any known biomarkers available for detecting tuberculosis (TB) in QFT-G converters. We aimed to evaluate clinical utility of cytokines/chemokines for detecting TB in patients with QFT-G conversion. Among a total of 227 RA patients who underwent QFT-G assay, 187 QFT-G-negative patients received biologic therapy without isoniazid prophylaxis. QFT-G assay was repeated at week 52 of biologic therapy or at the time of TB diagnosis. Levels of cytokines/chemokines were determined by magnetic bead array or ELISA in QFT-G converters and 12 non-RA patients with TB (non-RA TB). QFT-G conversion was found in 54 (28.9%) of 187 baseline QFT-G-negative patients, of which 7 (13.0%) developed active TB during the one-year follow-up period. Among the examined cytokines/chemokines, non-stimulated and TB-antigen-stimulated neopterin levels were significantly higher in RA patients who developed TB (RA-TB) (median, 24.5pg/ml and 23053pg/ml, respectively) and non-RA TB patients (12.2pg/ml and 9633pg/ml, respectively) compared with QFT-G converters without TB (3.0pg/ml and 2720pg/ml, respectively, both p<0.001). Rising levels of neopterin relative to baseline (non-stimulated levels, 4.4pg/ml vs. 24.5pg/ml; TB-antigen-stimulated levels, 1801pg/ml vs. 23053pg/ml) were observed in QFT-G converters who developed TB. A high proportion (85.7%) of QFT-G converters with high plasma neopterin levels developed TB during the one-year follow-up period. In conclusion, RA patients with QFT-G conversion during the period of biologic therapy should be carefully monitored for elevation of neopterin levels, which is associated with TB risk in QFT-G converters, particularly in TB-endemic areas.

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Risk for Mycobacterial Disease among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Taiwan, 2001–2011

Abstract: Risk for illness and death are increased for these patients.

Cited by 49 publications

References 32 publications

One-Year Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Their First Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy from 2008 to 2012 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

One-Year Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Their First Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy from 2008 to 2012 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

MicroRNA-889 Inhibits Autophagy To Maintain Mycobacterial Survival in Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Infection by Targeting TWEAK

Elevated Neopterin Levels Are Associated with Increased Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with QuantiFERON Conversion during Biologic Therapy

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