Rheumatology Commons^™

The Importance Of A Broad Differential Diagnosis: Hepatitis C Virus Associated Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis, Shadi Jafari-Esfahani, Christine E. Loftis, Juan Naranjo, Emilia Dulgheru

Research Symposium

Introduction: Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MCS) is a systemic inflammatory syndrome affecting small-medium sized vessels due to the presence of type II or III cryoglobulins in the serum. MSC can manifest as systemic vasculitis with symptoms varying from weakness, arthralgia, palpable purpura, peripheral neuropathy, and renal involvement. The most common cause of MCS includes lymphoproliferative disorders, autoimmune diseases and viral infections, with hepatitis C virus (HCV) being the most common etiology.

Case Presentation: A 60-year-old lady was referred to our office for evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis. She reported history of bilateral thumb pain, bilateral knee pain associated with episodes of swelling, …

That Which Keeps On Giving - A Case Of Class Iv Diffuse Proliferative Lupus Nephritis In A Hispanic Woman With Underlying Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Josenny L. Rodriguez-Paez, Christine E. Loftis, Rosa White-Guedez

Research Symposium

Background: Glomerulonephritis is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus nephritis is characterized by immune complex deposition in the mesangium leading to complement activation and hypocomplementemia. Studies show that up to 60% of adults with lupus develop renal involvement and it has been well established that Hispanic patients show poorer outcomes than Caucasians despite advances in treatment. Preserved kidney function with new-onset proteinuria should raise clinical suspicion for acute lupus nephritis. Further evaluation with a kidney biopsy is paramount in establishing a diagnosis, helping to define treatment strategy, and determining response to treatment.

Case …

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis: A Systematic Review Of Hla-Dr In Pigeon Breeder’S Disease, Dylan Thibaut, Ryan A. Witcher, Anitha Kunnath, James Toldi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Introduction: Pigeon Breeder’s Pneumonitis (PBP) results due to a complex pathophysiology that includes exposure to avian antigens. Susceptibility has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, though consensus has not been reached. The goal of this systematic review is to further elucidate the association between PBP and HLA-DR subtypes.

Methods: Databases utilized included PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion required a minimum of three studies in English presenting HLA-DR alleles of PBP and control subgroups. Exclusion was due to insufficient data or non-feasible control groups. Forest plots were created for HLA-DR subtypes’ association …

Maackia Amurensis Seed Lectin (Masl) Increases Movement Velocity Of Mice With Tnfα Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis, Amanda A. Greenspan, Kelly L. Hamilton, Alan J. Shienbaum, Bradford Fischer, Andrea Bottaro, Gary S. Goldberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Up to 70 million people around the world suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Current treatment options have varied efficacy and can cause unwanted side effects. New approaches are needed to treat this condition. Sialic acid modifications on chondrocyte receptors have been associated with arthritic inflammation and joint destruction. The transmembrane mucin receptor protein podoplanin (PDPN) has been identified as a functionally relevant receptor that presents extracellular sialic acid motifs. PDPN signaling promotes inflammation and invasion associated with arthritis and, therefore, has emerged as a target that can be used to inhibit arthritic inflammation. Maackia amurensis seed lectin (MASL) can target PDPN …

Adipocytes And Innate Immunity In Systemic Sclerosis, Nancy Wareing

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a chronic systemic autoimmune and connective tissue disorder characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmune phenomena, and widespread fibrosis. Skin thickening and tightening is the cardinal feature of SSc and is responsible, in part, for the considerable morbidity of this disease. There are currently no targeted treatments for skin manifestations in SSc, primarily due to our fragmented understanding of its pathophysiologic mechanisms. In PART I, we report a previously unappreciated link between aberrant expression of the developmental gene sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) in skin-associated adipocytes in SSc skin and the early loss of dermal white adipose …

Metformin-Induced Giant Cell Arteritis: An Uncommon Case Of Drug-Induced Vasculitis, Christine Angeles, Wendy Lee

South Atlantic Division Research Day 2023

No abstract provided.