Yasser Emad

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (TREG) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: the possible influence of treatment with corticosteroids.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by loss of tolerance to self-antigens. Regulatory T cells (T(REG)) are those CD4+ T cells that constitutively express high levels of CD25 and exhibit powerful suppressive properties. The aim of this work was to quantify CD4+CD25+ (T(REG)) cells and the Mean Fluorescence Index (MFI) of T(REG) in the peripheral blood of patients with SLE and to correlate these findings with their disease activity scores and drug therapy. This study included 24 SLE patients with various disease activity scores (SLEDAI) and 24 healthy age and sex matched controls. Flow cytometry was used to examine the frequency of CD4+CD25+ T cells and the MFI of CD4+CD25+(high) T cells (T(REG)). CD4+CD25+ T cells % and MFI of CD4+CD25+(high) T cells were higher in SLE patients than controls (p value=0.62 and=0.037 respectively) and both CD4+CD25+ T cell % and the MFI of CD4+CD25+(high) T cells showed highly significant correlation with SLEDAI scores (both with a p value<0.001) and were higher in patients taking glucocorticoids than those not on glucocorticoids (p= 0.023, 0.048 respectively). We conclude that the increase in T(REG) cells in our patients may be due to corticosteroid treatment.

Differentiation of osteoporotic and neoplastic vertebral fractures by chemical shift {in-phase and out-of phase} MR imaging

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to establish the cut-off value of the signal intensity drop on chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with appropriate sensitivity and specificity to differentiate osteoporotic from neoplastic wedging of the spine. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients with wedging of vertebral bodies were included consecutively between February 2006 and January 2007. A chemical shift MRI was performed and signal intensity after (in-phase and out-phase) images were obtained. A DXA was performed in all. RESULTS A total of 40 patients were included, 20 with osteoporotic wedging (group 1) and 20 neoplastic (group 2). They were 21 males and 19 females. Acute vertebral collapse was observed in 15 patients in group 1 and subacute collapse in another 5 patients, while in group 2, 11 patients showed acute collapse and 9 patients (45%) showed subacute vertebral collapse. On the chemical shift MRI a substantial reduction in signal intensity was found in all lesions in both groups. The proportional changes observed in signal intensity of bone marrow lesions on in-phase compared with out-of-phase images showed significant differences in both groups (P<0.05). At a cut-off value of 35%, the observed sensitivity of out-of-phase images was 95%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value was 100% and negative predictive value was 95.2%. CONCLUSION A chemical shift MRI is useful in order to differentiate patients with vertebral collapse due to underlying osteoporosis or neoplastic process.

Correlations of Urinary Biomarkers, TNF-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK), Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-8 with Lupus Nephritis

ObjectiveThis case-controlled study was designed to correlate urinary biomarkers, TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels, with renal involvement in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to examine their diagnostic performance.Patients and MethodsIn 73 SLE patients, and in 23 healthy volunteers, urinary levels of TWEAK, OPG, MCP-1, and IL-8 levels were measured. Disease activity was assessed by total SLE disease activity index, and renal activity by renal activity index (rSLEDAI), and both were correlated with urinary biomarkers. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of individual biomarkers to predict lupus nephritis were also calculated.ResultsSignificantly higher levels of urinary biomarkers were observed in SLE patients with lupus nephritis (LN) compared with those without LN (TWEAK, p < 0.001; MCP-1, p < 0.001; OPG, p < 0.001; IL-8, p < 0.032). Other significantly higher levels were observed in SLE patients with LN compared with control subjects (TWEAK, MCP-1, OPG, and IL-8 p < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between rSLEDAI and TWEAK (r = 0.612 and p < 0.001), MCP-1 (r = 0.635 and p < 0.001), and OPG (r = 0.505 and p < 0.001).ConclusionsUrinary levels of TWEAK, OPG, and MCP-1 positively correlate with renal involvement as assessed by rSLEDAI with reasonable sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values to detect lupus nephritis while IL-8 was not significantly associated with global or rSLEDAI.

Hughes-stovin syndrome: is it incomplete Behcet's? : Report of two cases and review of the literature

In this report, we described two male patients with Hughes–Stovin syndrome. The first patient was a 26-year-old male who initially presented with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right lower limb followed shortly by hemoptysis. Pulmonary CT angiography revealed bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms secondary to underlying pulmonary vasculitis. While the second case was a 16-year-old male patient who initially presented with generalized fits due to sagittal sinus thrombosis and later followed by DVT in the left lower limb. Pulmonary CT angiography showed small pulmonary artery aneurysms with thrombosis of peripheral pulmonary artery branches. Both patients were treated successfully with steroids and immunosuppressive therapy and showed clinical improvement.

Enthesitis and Related Changes in the Knees in Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies and Skin Psoriasis: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Case-Control Study

Objective. To describe enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and characteristic entheseal changes in the knees in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Methods. The 56 patients included 30 with psoriatic arthritis, 5 with ankylosing spondylitis, 5 with reactive arthritis, 5 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 5 with Crohn’s disease, and another 6 with skin psoriasis. Controls were 20 healthy subjects without knee complaints. MRI was performed in all participants, emphasizing entheseal sites. Results. Both knees were studied in 45 (80.3%) patients and one knee in 11 (19.6%). MRI showed evidence of bone marrow edema in 13 (23.2%) patients, cartilaginous erosions in 18 (32.1%), and bone erosions in 9 (16.1%). Enthesitis was found in medial collateral ligaments in 18 (32.1%), lateral collateral ligaments in 8 (14.3%), posterior cruciate ligaments in 3 (5.35%), patellar tendon in 18 (32.1%), biceps femoris insertion in 3 (5.35%), medial patellofemoral ligaments (MPFL) in 5 (8.9%), and lateral patellofemoral ligament in 1 patient (1.8%). In the UC and Crohn’s patients (n = 10), 2 had bone erosions and 5 had enthesitis. In the skin psoriasis group (n = 6), one had bone marrow edema; enthesitis was detected in 5 at the patellar tendon insertion and in one in the MPFL. Entheseal-related changes were absent in the controls. Conclusion. This is the first study showing entheseal-related changes in the knees in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or skin psoriasis without clinical arthritis. Enthesitis of the knee on MRI may be an early finding in SpA.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): Correlations with disease activity and severity of joint damage (a multicenter trial)

OBJECTIVES To determine the presence of anti-CCP antibodies in children with JIA and to correlate its levels with Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) and Sharp/Van der Heijde Score. METHODS The study population comprised 54 cases, with 29 patients (53.7%) who had polyarticular onset, 19 (35.2%) had pauciarticular onset and six (11.1%) had systemic onset JIA. All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination, assessment of disease activity by JADAS-27 (ESR), and radiological damage by Sharp/Van der Heijde Score. Laboratory investigations included a complete blood count, ESR first hour, ANA, IgM Rheumatoid factor (RF) and serum anti-CCP2, and were used for further correlations. RESULTS RF was positive in 14 (25.9%) patients and anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 13 (24.1%) patients, 12 of whom had polyarticular onset. There were significant differences between groups relative to RF (F=8.577, P=0.001) and anti-CCP antibodies (F=4.845, P=0.012) being higher in JIA patients with polyarticular onset compared to other subsets of JIA patients. The mean total of the Sharp/Van der Heijde Score was significantly higher among polyarticular-JIA patients with positive anti-CCP antibodies compared to those negative for anti-CCP antibodies (P=0.05). Anti-CCP positively correlated with CRP (r=0.521, P<0.001) and Sharp/Van der Heijde Score (r=0.457, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Anti-CCP antibodies were prevalent among JIA patients with polyarticular patterns compared to other disease patterns. Anti-CCP positively and significantly correlated with Sharps score and CRP levels. Given that anti-CCP may be influential in the choice of the best therapeutic strategy in JIA with polyarticular pattern of onset.

Bone marrow edema syndromes of the hip : MRI features in different hip disorders

The objectives of this study were to describe the essential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of bone marrow edema syndromes affecting the hip joint. In addition, to evaluate the role of MRI in the assessment of hip joint involvement in different clinical settings that may share similar clinical findings. Thirty-four patients who complained of hip pain were studied consecutively. Of these, 21 were men (61.8%) and 13 were women (38.2%). After clinical assessment of possible hip disease, plain radiograph and MRI study of both hips were performed. The literature was searched using keywords: bone marrow edema, hip, and MRI. All patients had antalgic gait and limping. Initial clinical examination revealed painful limited internal and external rotation of the affected hip/hips suspect for hip disease. Unilateral hip involvement was identified in 31 patients (91.2%), and bilateral hip involvement was found in three patients (8.8%), with a total of 37 hips evaluated by MRI. The final diagnoses in our patients were: reactive arthritis (1), transient osteoporosis (7), avascular necrosis (10), osteoarthritis (2), tuberculous arthritis (4), septic arthritis (2), osteomyelitis (2), sickle cell anemia (2), lymphocytic leukemia (1), and femoral stress fracture (3). Bone marrow edema affecting the hip is neither a specific MR imaging finding nor a specific diagnosis and may be encountered in a variety of hip disorders due to different etiologies. MR imaging is the modality of choice when clinical examination is suspect for hip disease and plain radiographs are normal or equivocal. Early diagnosis and treatment is important in many of the disorders. The literature is reviewed regarding bone marrow edema of the hip.

Multislice CT pulmonary findings in Behçet’s disease (Report of 16 cases)

Pulmonary artery aneurysm is the best-defined type of pulmonary disease in Behçet’s disease (BD) with an important morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of high-resolution dynamic chest CT imaging for one of the most serious aspects of BD: pulmonary artery aneurysm and other pulmonary parenchymal involvement. Sixteen BD patients were recruited for this study, (14 men, 87.5%, and 2 women, 12.5%). All patients fulfilled the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification of BD [International Study Group for Behçet’s Disease, Lancet 335:1078–1080, (1990)]. All patients underwent thorough history taking, full clinical examination, and routine laboratory investigations. Plain chest X-rays and pulmonary CT angiography were performed on all patients in an attempt to assess the pulmonary vasculature and lung parenchyma. Pulmonary vascular abnormalities were as follows: pulmonary artery aneurysms of varying sizes in nine patients (56.3%%), main pulmonary artery ectasia in two patients (12.5%), pulmonary artery embolism in two patients (12.5%), venacaval thrombosis in seven patients (43.8%), and pulmonary venous varices in four patients (25%). Pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities were as follows: three patients (18.8%) with mild central bronchiectasis, one patient (6.3%) with atelectasis, one patient (6.3%) with subpleural nodule, and four patients (25%) with interstitial lung disease. Eight of the male patients were smokers. Multislice CT is useful in demonstrating the entire spectrum of thoracic manifestations of BD. Multislice CT is noninvasive and provides excellent delineation of the vessel lumen and wall and perivascular tissues, as well as detailed information concerning the lung parenchyma, pleura, and mediastinal structures.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip, complete resolution after treatment with Alendronate as observed by MRI Description of 8 cases and review of the literature

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH), also referred to as transient bone marrow edema syndrome, is most common in middle-aged men and often after trivial trauma or sport-related injuries. Diagnosis is usually made by eliminating other possible causes of hip pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in diagnosis and demonstrates a typical pattern of bone marrow edema (BME) in the form of diffuse low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2 fat-suppressed or short T1 inversion recovery images. No consensus exists about the management of TOH, as it may progress to avascular necrosis. We describe eight cases of TOH treated with alendronate resulting in improvement of pain and function and complete resolution of BME on MRI. The literature is reviewed regarding TOH and the relationship with bone marrow edema syndrome, avascular necrosis of the hip, and regional migratory osteoporosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the improvement of this condition after of alendronate with documented radiological improvement on follow-up MRI.

Raised serum level of APRIL in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: correlations with disease activity indices.

The aim of the present study is to assess serum APRIL levels in SLE patients versus rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and normal control and to correlate serum APRIL levels in SLE patients with disease activity indices. Serum APRIL levels was measured in 40 SLE patients, 20 patients with RA and 20 healthy volunteers who served as control group. Disease activity in SLE patients was assessed by the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), and results were correlated with serum APRIL levels. Significantly higher serum APRIL levels was observed in SLE patients compared to RA patients and normal controls (p=0.003 and p < or = 0.001, respectively). Positive correlations were found between serum APRIL levels and total BILAG index (r=0.486 and p=0.001), BILAG musculoskeletal score (r=0.848 and p < or = 0.001) and BILAG cardiorespiratory score (r=0.326 and 0.04). Serum APRIL was higher in SLE patients compared to RA patients and normal control subjects and positively correlates with BILAG index and higher levels may be associated with musculoskeletal manifestations of the disease. APRIL antagonism could be a potential therapeutic target in SLE.