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Biomedical subjects

G S Cheema

Publications and source records attributed to G S Cheema.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Elevated serum B lymphocyte stimulator levels in patients with systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum levels of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) are elevated in patients with systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases and correlate with serum Ig levels and/or autoantibody titers. METHODS: Sera from 185 patients with various systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases (95 with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], 67 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA], 23 with other diagnoses) were assayed for BLyS and Ig. In 7 patients who required arthrocentesis of a swollen knee, coincident serum and synovial fluid samples were assayed for BLyS. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for elevated autoantibody titers and proteinuria within a 1-month period before or after collection of sera for BLyS and Ig determination. Sera concurrently collected from 48 normal healthy subjects served as controls. RESULTS: Serum BLyS levels were elevated in 38 of 185 patients (21%) and correlated significantly with serum IgG levels. Serum BLyS levels did not correlate with the patients' age, sex, race, or medications, but correlated positively with anti-double-stranded DNA antibody titers among SLE patients and with rheumatoid factor titers among seropositive RA patients. In contrast, serum BLyS levels correlated inversely with nephrotic-range proteinuria among SLE patients. In every case tested, BLyS levels in clinically inflamed synovial fluids were greater than those in simultaneously obtained sera. CONCLUSION: BLyS may be an important factor in driving polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and elevated autoantibody titers in patients with systemic immune-based rheumatic diseases. Local production of BLyS in the joints may contribute to joint pathology. Patients with elevated serum BLyS levels may be ideal candidates for therapeutic targeting of BLyS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology and involves organ systems such as the skin, peripheral vasculature, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, heart, and the lungs is observed quite frequently. In this review, we discuss the development of interstitial lung disease, one of the common pulmonary manifestations and a major cause of mortality and morbidity in this disorder. It is, however, under-recognized and diagnosed late in the course of the illness. Early use of pulmonary function tests followed by bronchoalveolar lavage in appropriate cases helps in early diagnosis. Recent studies emphasize the role of various profibrotic and inflammatory cytokines both locally in the lung and systemically in its pathogenesis. Treatment is helpful in arresting the progression if initiated early. Cyclophosphamide with or without corticosteroids given orally or as intravenous pulse may be helpful.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2000

Interstitial lung disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) is a heterogenous disease of unknown etiology. It is not uncommon to see pleuropulmonary involvement in isolation or along with the involvement of other organ systems in SLE. Pulmonary manifestations of SLE can involve the pleura, lung parenchyma, airways, pulmonary vasculature, and the respiratory muscles. In this review we discuss two important pulmonary manifestations of SLE: acute lupus pneumonitis and diffuse interstitial lung disease. These two conditions have a major impact on the mortality and morbidity of patients with SLE and it is essential to recognize and treat them appropriately. High-resolution computed tomographic scans of the chest and pulmonary function tests help to establish a diagnosis and aid long-term follow-up of these patients. High-dose corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for the two conditions, although other agents such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, intravenous gamma globulin, and plasmapheresis have been used with varying degrees of success.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Pulmonary involvement in adult-onset Still's disease.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare splenic disorder with an unknown cause. It is not uncommon for AOSD to involve other organs, such as the liver; the kidney; the bone marrow; and, less often, the lungs. In this review, we discuss the pulmonary complications of AOSD. Pulmonary involvement in AOSD usually consists of pleural effusion or transient pulmonary infiltrates, but it may become life threatening if it progresses to the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Chronic conditions, such as restrictive lung disease, have also been reported in patients with AOSD. The only treatment currently available is high-dose steroids, although other agents, such as intravenous immunoglobulin, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine, have been tried with some success.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗