HIV-related vasculitis: clinical presentation and therapeutic approach on six patients.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Guillevin.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
UNLABELLED: Although plasma exchanges (PE) have no added benefit in the treatment of vasculitides of the polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) group with steroids (CS) +/- cyclophosphamide (CY), this has not been demonstrated in patients presenting with glomerulonephritis (GN). We therefore reanalyzed the records of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) or Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) patients presenting with GN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were included consecutively in 2 randomized trials: a) comparing CS vs CS + PE (n = 78) and b) comparing CS + pulse CY +/- PE in PAN and CSS with factors of poor prognosis (n = 62); 9-12 PE/patient were performed. RESULTS: 32 patients, 18 men and 14 women, presented with GN, 28 MPA and 4 CSS, mean age 53.2 +/- 17 years. Clinical/biological manifestations before treatment were comparable in both groups: weight loss 84.4%, fever 62.5%, mononeuritis multiplex 62.5%, purpura 28.1%, GI tract involvement 43.8%, arthritis 37.5%, asthma 12.5%, CNS manifestations 9.4%; cardiac involvement 9.4%; mean creatininemia was 303 +/- 286 mumol/l, proteinuria > 0.5 g/l or 1g/d was found in every case, microscopic hematuria in 20/32 patients, leukocyturia in 12/32. Eight out of/16 were ANCA-positive, ELISA detected anti-MPO antibodies in 5 and anti-PR3 in 3. HBV infection was never observed. After 1 year of treatment, creatininemia decreased from 374.4 +/- 352 to 290 +/- 352 mumol/l in the PE group and from 287 +/- 292 to 170 +/- 67 in the non PE group (NS). Six patients of the PE group and 2 of the non-PE group were dialyzed at onset of treatment. Four of the 6 PE patients and 1 of the 2 not treated with PE were off dialysis 1 year later. In addition 1 patient from the PE group developed a flare with renal failure and required chronic dialysis. The 5-year survival was higher in the PE group (4 deaths/19) than in the non PE group (7/13). The survival curve was 74% in the PE group vs 54% in the non-PE group (NS). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that PE have no added benefit in the treatment of GN in MPA and CSS.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Our aim was to investigate links between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated autoantibodies, idiotypes (Id) and genetic predisposition to their development. We studied four public Ids (16/6, WRI 176 beta, RT72 and RT84), identified the Km and Gm phenotypes and sought six selected autoantibodies in 32 SLE patients, 174 of their relatives and 15 spouses. Though anti-double-stranded DNA antibody was uncommon in the relatives (9%), the range of antinuclear reactivities was as broad in the relatives as in the probands. Antibodies to the synthetic peptide U1-RNP-A 35-38 were found in 56% of the patients, 28% of their relatives and 20% of the spouses, whereas antibodies to the Golgi apparatus was present in 7% of the patients, 26% of their relatives and 33% of the spouses. However, most of these family members were unaffected. RT84 Id was positively associated with antibodies to Sm-D peptide 1-20 and to Ro/SSA 60 kD peptide 304-324, but negatively associated with anti-dsDNA activity. The median of age was significantly lower in the RT84 Id-positive than in the RT84 Id-negative individuals. These data suggest that genetic as well as environmental factors are involved in the aetiology of SLE. In addition, RT84-carrying immunoglobulins (Ab2) might be directed to one of many cross-reactive Ids of dsDNA-binding antibodies (Ab1), perhaps down-regulating their production.
The authors report a case of relapsing polychondritis associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. The initial manifestations were recurrent venous thrombosis which occurred prior to the chondritis. Antiphospholipid antibodies are found in various diseases, some of which are sometimes associated to relapsing polychondritis. However, antiphospholipid-antibodies have not yet been reported in this disease.
The serum concentrations of the steroid, androgens and estrogens, in the HIV-positive male patients were studied. These men belonged to one of the three main behaviour groups: heterosexual (He), drug addicts (DA) and homosexual (Ho) at early stages (II and III) or at advanced stage of AIDS (IVC), classified according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The circulating concentrations of sex steroids were then analysed with reference to the risk factors, absolute CD4 cell count and the progression of HIV infection. Regardless of risk factors, the stage II and III HIV-infected patients had serum dehydro-epiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) (+37%, p < 0.03), testosterone (T) (+24%, p < 0.006) and estrone (E1) (+170%, p < 0.0001) levels higher than those of controls. The patients IVC stage had low serum DHEAs (-48%, p < 0.0001) and elevated estradiol (E2) (+200%, p < 0.0001). According to risk factors, there were no significant differences in androgen and estrogen concentrations between the behaviour groups. There were significant positive correlations between the CD4 cell count and the serum concentrations of DHEAs (p < 0.0001), DHEA (p < 0.01) and E1 (p < 0.006). This suggests that there is a relationship between the circulating sex hormone levels, particularly DHEAs, and the progression of immune depression in HIV, whatever the risk factor. The observed association between DHEAs and the progression of HIV infection suggests that this androgen may play a role in the normal function of the immune system.
Herpetic esophagitis (HE) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a rare condition mainly reported as isolated cases. We thus decided to study this association and analyze the possible predisposing factors, clinical and endoscopic presentations, and clinical response to treatment. Thirty-four HIV-1-infected patients were identified: 27 had histologically or virologically confirmed HE and seven had probable HE, a retrospective diagnosis based on the efficacy of acyclovir given alone. The median CD4 cell count was 15/mm3. Recent predisposing factors (such as nasogastric procedures, steroid therapy, and anticancer therapy) were noted with regard to 16 of the 34 patients (47%). Odynophagia and/or chest pain occurred in 30 patients (88%). At the time of diagnosis of HE, extraesophageal herpes was found in only 13 patients (38%). Superficial ulcers of the distal third of the esophagus were present in 17 (50%). Among 20 of the 27 patients with confirmed HE that could be evaluated, therapy with acyclovir led to complete resolution in 16 and partial response in 3; 1 patient died of HE. Five patients (15%) suffered confirmed or possible relapses. The mean interval between the diagnosis of HE and death was 8.8 months. Herpes simplex virus may be responsible for ulcerated esophagitis that occurs in the advanced stages of AIDS and that can be safely treated with acyclovir before a definitive diagnosis is made.
The present study attempted to define the clinical, radiological, immunological and pathological characteristics of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and to separate them from classic PAN (c-PAN) and Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). In most cases, patients presenting microaneurysms and/or multiple vessel stenoses, which reflect medium-sized vessel involvement, did not have antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) (6.6%). Conversely, patients with glomerulonephritis almost never had abnormal angiograms. Furthermore, the clinical characteristics of ANCA-positive patients also indicate small-sized vessel involvement. Skin involvement (73.1 vs 26.7%, P < or = 0.05), glomerulonephritis (38.5 vs 0%, P < or = 0.001) and the presence of ANCA (34.6 vs 6.7%, P < or = 0.05) were significantly more frequent in patients with normal than abnormal angiograms, respectively. Conversely, hypertension (66.7 vs 23.1%, P < or = 0.02), renal vasculitis (46.7 vs 0%, P < or = 0.001) and hepatitis B antigenaemia (60 vs 11.5%, P < or = 0.01) were significantly more common in patients with abnormal angiograms. Stratification of patients according to vessel size showed that, except for skin involvement (P < or = 0.05) and glomerulonephritis (P < or = 0.01), which are direct manifestations of small-sized vessel diseases, clinical symptoms of PAN or CSS, angiographic findings and ANCA were not correlated to arteriole size. Although at present it is not possible to separate definitively MPA from c-PAN, our results show that ANCA should be considered diagnostic for MPA and, in most cases, should be an exclusion criterion for c-PAN. Conversely, small-sized vessel involvement can be observed in patients presenting characteristics of c-PAN, MPA or CSS and, therefore, is not a sufficient criterion for assigning diagnosis.
We undertook this study to determine the clinical, biologic, immunologic, and therapeutic factors associated with the prognoses of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). Three hundred forty-two patients (260 with PAN, 82 with CSS) followed from 1980 to 1993 were included in a prospective study on prognostic factors. Two hundred eighty-eight of these patients were included in the prospective studies on PAN and CSS. Items to be considered for analysis were collected at the time of diagnosis, during the acute phase of the disease. A survival curve was plotted for each clinical and biologic symptom observed in PAN or CSS. Each treatment arm of the prospective therapeutic trials was also tested: 1) prednisone (CS) + oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) + plasma exchanges (PE) versus CS E, 2) CS + PE versus CS, 3) CS + oral CY versus CS + pulse CY, 4) CS + pulse CY + PE versus CS + pulse CY in severe PAN and CSS, and 5) PE + antiviral agents after short-term CS in hepatitis B virus-related PAN. Of the parameters thus evaluated, the following had significant prognostic value and were responsible for higher mortality: proteinuria > 1 g/d (p < 0.0001; relative risk [RR] 3.6), renal insufficiency with serum creatinine > 1.58 mg/DL (p < 0.02; RR 1.86), GI tract involvement (p < 0.008. RR 2.83 for surgery). Cardiomyopathy and CNS involvement were associated with a RR of mortality of 2.18 and 1.76, respectively; these were not statistically significant. Similar survival rates were obtained with the prospectively tested therapies. The five-factors score (FFS) we established considered the prognostic factors creatinemia, proteinuria, cardiomyopathy, GI tract involvement, and CNS signs. Multivariate analysis showed that proteinuria (due to vascular or glomerular disease) and GI tract involvement were independent prognostic factors. When FFS = 0 (none of the 5 prognostic factors present), mortality at 5 years was 11.9%; when FFS = 1 (1 of the 5 factors present), mortality was 25.9% (p < 0.005); when FFS > 2 (3 or more of the 5 factors present), mortality was 45.95% (p < 0.0001 between 0 and 2, p < 0.05 between 1 and 2). We conclude that an initial assessment of PAN or CSS severity enables outcome and mortality to be predicted. The FFS is a good predictor of death and can be used to help the clinician choose the most adequate treatment. Renal and GI signs are the most serious prognostic factors.
The teicoplanin pharmacokinetics (PK) of 30 febrile and severely neutropenic patients (polymorphonuclear count, < 500/mm3) with hematologic malignancies were compared with those determined for five healthy volunteers (HV). Neutropenic patients were given piperacillin combined with amikacin, and teicoplanin was added to the regimen the day fever developed in patients suspected of having a staphylococcal infection or 48 h later. Teicoplanin was given intravenously at a dosage of 6 mg/kg of body weight at 0, 12, and 24 h and once a day thereafter. Five to eleven blood samples per patient were collected. Teicoplanin concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography. A bicompartmental model was fitted to the data by a nonlinear mixed-effect-model approach. Multiple-linear regression analysis was applied in an attempt to correlate PK parameters to nine covariates. The mean trough concentrations of teicoplanin 48 h after the onset of treatment and 24 h after the last injection (last trough) +/- standard deviations were 8.8 +/- 4.1 and 17.5 +/- 13.5 mg/liter, respectively. A significant increase was noted in the mean rate of elimination clearance of teicoplanin in neutropenic patients compared with that of HV (0.86 versus 0.73 liter/h, P = 0.002), as was the case with rates of distribution clearance (5.89 versus 4.94 liter/h, P = 0.002); the mean half-life of distribution was significantly shorter in patients than in HV (0.43 versus 0.61 h, P = 0.002). In contrast, the volumes of the central compartment (ca. 5.8 liters for both groups), the volumes of distribution at steady state (HV, 37.6 liters; patients, 55.9 liters), and the elimination half-lives (HV, 39.6 h; patients, 52.7 h) were not significantly different between HV and neutropenic patients. Interindividual variabilities of rates of clearance (coefficient of variation [CV], 43%) and elimination half-lives (CV, 56%) were mainly explained by the variabilities among rates of creatinine clearance. Interindividual variabilities of the volumes of the central compartment (CV, 33%) and the volumes of distribution at steady state (CV = 51%) were correlated to interindividual variabilities among numbers of leukocytes and the ages of patients, respectively. On the basis of the population PK model of teicoplanin, simulations were made to optimize the dosing schedule. A supplemental 6 mg/kg dose of teicoplanin at 36 h resulted in a trough concentration at 48 h of 16.0 +/- 4.5 mg/liter, with only 7% of patients having a trough concentration of less than 10 mg/liter, compared with 46% of patients on the usual schedule.
We prospectively studied adrenal function in 51 human immunodeficiency virus-positive male patients, including heterosexuals, homosexuals, and iv drug users, classified according to 1987 CDC criteria as belonging to stages II/III or IVC. Basal serum concentrations of cortisol (F), progesterone (P4) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OHP4) were determined during the two stages. In stage IVC patients, the circadian rhythms of ACTH and F were assessed, and ovine CRH (oCRH) and immediate cosyntropin-stimulating tests were evaluated. Serum concentrations of hormones were analyzed in relationship to the absolute CD4 cell count in all subjects. The mean serum F concentration in stage IVC patients, the mean P4 concentration in stage II/III and IVC patients, and the mean 17 alpha-OHP4 level in stage II/III patients were significantly increased compared to control values (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.002, respectively). The mean serum F concentration in stage IVC patients was significantly increased compared to that in stage II/III patients (P < 0.004), and the mean serum 17 alpha-OHP4 concentration in stage II/III patients was significantly increased compared to that in stage IVC patients (P < 0.02). In the 22 stage IVC patients, the circadian rhythms of ACTH and F were normal in all but 7 for ACTH and 5 for F, whereas oCRH test results indicated that 14 of them had reduced or blunted responses. By contrast, cosyntropin stimulation results were normal. CD4 cell counts were significantly negatively correlated with the serum F concentration (P < 0.02). In conclusion, during human immunodeficiency virus infection, the serum F concentration was negatively correlated with CD4 cell counts. Cosyntropin test results were normal, but 63% of the stage IVC men had abnormal responses to oCRH.
Arterial manifestations of Behçet's disease carry a particularly poor prognosis, especially pulmonary arterial aneurysms. We report herein the successful embolization of multiple bilateral pulmonary arterial aneurysms in a young Algerian man, whose treatment included corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis occur in 60% of patients, most often in association with other systemic manifestations of the disease. Episcleritis is the most common manifestation, but scleral perforation, retinal vasculitis, optic neuritis and necrotizing scleritis can lead to blindness and require the use of immunosuppressive agents. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with diffuse bilateral scleritis as the single manifestation of relapsing polychondritis. High dose steroids were used with success.