Immune System Diseases Commons^™

Examining The Matrix: A Case Of Anti-Nuclear Matrix Protein 2 (Nxp-2) Positive Dermatomyositis, Victoria Cuello, Ramiro Oquita, Emilia Dulgheru

Research Symposium

Background: Dermatomyositis is a disease characterized by proximal muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes and cutaneous skin findings including heliotrope rash, periungual erythema, Gottron’s papules/sign and shawl-sign. Myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSA) can be used to predict disease manifestations, response to therapy and prognosis. Specifically, patients with dermatomyositis with positive anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP-2) typically present with classical skin findings, subcutaneous edema, profound muscle weakness, severe dysphagia and hypophonia.

Case Presentation: A 21-year-old Hispanic lady presented to the hospital for severe muscle weakness. She reported soreness in her thighs for three months prior to presentation followed by arm soreness. She also developed a …

A True Bloody Emergency: An Unusual Case Of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Joshua M. Ninan

Research Symposium

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a primary thrombotic microangiopathy that is classically characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). Although rare with an annual incidence of 3.7 cases per one million adults, it is considered a true hematological emergency due to its fatality rate of almost 100% if appropriate treatment is not initiated immediately. This makes it vitally important to identify and treat patients with TTP, a task that becomes unusually challenging in the absence of the disorder’s other characteristically diagnostic clinical features such as mucosal bleeding, fever, or presence of schistocytes.

Case Presentation: A 30-year-old gentleman with …

Advancing Treatment In Atopic Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Review Of Clinical Efficacy, Safety, And Comparative Insights Into Corticosteroids, Calcineurin Inhibitors, And Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors As Topical Therapies, Tyler D. Hernandez, Sarah J. Aleman, Maria Bao-Loc-Trung, Michael V. Forte, William Brandt, Catherine Armstrong, Jeffrey Howard, Chizoba N. Mosieri, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Giustino Varrassi, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pervasive and multifaceted dermatological disorder causing daily distress to afflicted individuals worldwide. This comprehensive review synthesizes the historical and contemporary advancements in therapeutic strategies, offering a critical analysis of their efficacy, safety profiles, and adaptability. The enduring role of topical corticosteroids in managing AD is examined, acknowledging their potent anti-inflammatory properties alongside their potential adverse side effects, particularly in extended usage. The article explores the utilization of topical calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, highlighting their novel anti-inflammatory pathways while also scrutinizing concerns over potential malignancies that relegate them to second-line therapy. The present investigation …

Image-Based Multiplex Immune Profiling Of Cancer Tissues: Translational Implications. A Report Of The International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group On Breast Cancer., Chowdhury Arif Jahangir, David B. Page, Glenn Broeckx, Claudia A. Gonzalez, Caoimbhe Burke, Clodagh Murphy, Jorge S. Reis-Filho, Amy Ly, Paul Harms, Shahin Sayed

Pathology, East Africa

Recent advances in the field of immuno-oncology have brought transformative changes in the management of cancer patients. The immune profile of tumours has been found to have key value in predicting disease prognosis and treatment response in various cancers. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence have emerged as potent tools for the simultaneous detection of multiple protein biomarkers in a single tissue section, thereby expanding opportunities for molecular and immune profiling while preserving tissue samples. By establishing the phenotype of individual tumour cells when distributed within a mixed cell population, the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers with high-throughput multiplex immunophenotyping of tumour …

Avaren-Fc, A Novel Immunotherapeutic, Recruits Nk Cells In B16f10 Melanoma Tumor Tissue, Sreevatsa Vemuri, Katarina Mayer, Nobuyuki Matoba

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the US, with limited effective immunotherapeutic options available for patients. Avaren-Fc (AvFc) is a novel experimental immunotherapeutic agent with a unique “lectibody” property. It is capable of targeting cancer cells through the selective recognition of high mannose glycans, which are aberrantly overrepresented on the surface of malignant cells. AvFc can interact with circulating effector immune cells equipped with Fc receptors, such as natural killer (NK) cells to induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and kill cancer cells. Previous work has shown that AvFc effectively induces ADCC activity against B16F10 cancer cells in vitro …

A Rare Case Of Iga Vasculitis In An Adult Patient With Mssa Bacteremia And Prostate Abscess, Maria E Mesalles, Erinolaoluwa F Araoye, Anees Siddiqi, Adrien Janvier

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

IgA vasculitis, previously known as Henoch Schönlein Purpura (HSP), is a disease more common in children and occurs when IgA1 immune complexes attach to the walls of small blood vessels causing inflammation. This case report is of an adult male who presented with a purpuric rash affecting both legs, microhematuria, and knee pain. Blood cultures were positive for Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Computed tomography of the pelvis revealed a prostate abscess. Skin biopsy demonstrated IgA and C3 in the dermal vessels. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IgA vasculitis associated with MSSA bacteremia due to a prostate …

D-Mannose Reduces Cellular Senescence And Nlrp3/Gasdermind/Il-1Β-Driven Pyroptotic Uroepithelial Cell Shedding In The Murine Bladder, Chetanchandra S Joshi, Arnold M Salazar, Caihong Wang, Marianne M Ligon, Rayvanth R Chappidi, Bisiayo E Fashemi, Paul A Felder, Amy Mora, Sandra L Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Indira U Mysorekar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aging is a risk factor for disease via increased susceptibility to infection, decreased ability to maintain homeostasis, inefficiency in combating stress, and decreased regenerative capacity. Multiple diseases, including urinary tract infection (UTI), are more prevalent with age; however, the mechanisms underlying the impact of aging on the urinary tract mucosa and the correlation between aging and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we show that, relative to young (8-12 weeks) mice, the urothelium of aged (18-24 months) female mice accumulates large lysosomes with reduced acid phosphatase activity and decreased overall autophagic flux in the aged urothelium, indicative of compromised cellular homeostasis. …

A Conceptual Analysis Of Sbirt Implementation Alongside The Continuum Of Prep Awareness: Domains Of Fit And Feasibility., Lesley M. Harris, Kerr C. Jelani, Blake D. Skidmore, Smita Ghare, Andrea Reyes-Vega, Vania Remenik-Zarauz, Harideep Samanapally, Rana U. Anwar, Rishikesh Rijal, Kendall Bryant, Martin T. Hall, Shirish Barve

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a supplementary intervention that can be incorporated into the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum, complementing initiatives and endeavors focused on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention in clinical care and community-based work. Referencing the Transtheoretical Model of Change and the PrEP Awareness Continuum, this conceptual analysis highlights how SBIRT amplifies ongoing HIV prevention initiatives and presents a distinct chance to address identified gaps. SBIRT's mechanisms show promise of fit and feasibility through (a) implementing universal Screening (S), (b) administering a Brief Intervention (BI) grounded in motivational interviewing aimed at assisting individuals in …

Features Of Acute Covid-19 Associated With Post-Acute Sequelae Of Sars-Cov-2 Phenotypes: Results From The Impacc Study, Al Ozonoff, Naresh Doni Jayavelu, Shanshan Liu, Esther Melamed, Carly E Milliren, Jingjing Qi, Linda N Geng, Grace A Mccomsey, Charles B Cairns, Lindsey R Baden, Joanna Schaenman, Albert C Shaw, Hady Samaha, Vicki Seyfert-Margolis, Florian Krammer, Lindsey B Rosen, Hanno Steen, Caitlin Syphurs, Ravi Dandekar, Casey P Shannon, Rafick P Sekaly, Lauren I R Ehrlich, David B Corry, Farrah Kheradmand, Mark A Atkinson, Scott C Brakenridge, Nelson I Agudelo Higuita, Jordan P Metcalf, Catherine L Hough, William B Messer, Bali Pulendran, Kari C Nadeau, Mark M Davis, Ana Fernandez Sesma, Viviana Simon, Harm Van Bakel, Seunghee Kim-Schulze, David A Hafler, Ofer Levy, Monica Kraft, Chris Bime, Elias K Haddad, Carolyn S Calfee, David J Erle, Charles R Langelier, Walter Eckalbar, Steven E Bosinger, Bjoern Peters, Steven H Kleinstein, Elaine F Reed, Alison D Augustine, Joann Diray-Arce, Holden T Maecker, Matthew C Altman, Ruth R Montgomery, Patrice M Becker, Nadine Rouphael

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a significant public health concern. We describe Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) on 590 participants prospectively assessed from hospital admission for COVID-19 through one year after discharge. Modeling identified 4 PRO clusters based on reported deficits (minimal, physical, mental/cognitive, and multidomain), supporting heterogenous clinical presentations in PASC, with sub-phenotypes associated with female sex and distinctive comorbidities. During the acute phase of disease, a higher respiratory SARS-CoV-2 viral burden and lower Receptor Binding Domain and Spike antibody titers were associated with both the physical predominant and the multidomain deficit clusters. A lower frequency of circulating B …

Investigating The Link Between Vitamin D Levels And Glucocorticoid Usage In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Ellen Yos, Jayden Navarro, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Secondary Cold Agglutinin Hemolytic Anemia And Unconventional Treatment With Rituximab, Jacob Trimble, Roy Dennis, Zachary Bondranko, Mary Therese Thomas, Thomas Bumbalo

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Temporal Artery Biopsy By Provider Across A Large Multi-State Healthcare Network, Karling Gravenstein, Mikalah Maury, Priya Arya, Robert Liebman

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Unilateral Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia As First Manifestation In Multiple Sclerosis, Imaad Zaman, Tyler Adame, Steven Do, Kien Nham, Azeem Muhammad

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system secondary to myelin degeneration. The disease is mediated by reactive lymphocytes where the spinal cord, brain and optic nerves are attacked. Diagnosis of MS is made clinically and confirmed via MRI with T2 hyperintensities. On presentation, a 26-year-old female with no significant past medical history presented with frequent headaches and blurry vision. There was right eye nystagmus on L lateral gaze with CN III deficits with absent medial rotation. MRI Head presented with a classic presentation of T2 hyperintensities in the subcortical and deep white matter. Further confirmed with …

Evaluating The Effect Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Long Term Prednisone Dosage In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Ellen Yos, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms (Dress) Syndrome: Lamotrigine Associated, Kendal Allen, Jordan Steelquist, Renee Delos Angeles, He Wang, Andrew Chen

Far West Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Case Report: A 28-Year-Old Male With Bilateral Lower Extremities Paresthesias, Characteristic Presentation Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome And Innovative Treatments, Petros Keoseyan, Ricky Oshakuade, Danielle Genov, Derek Draper, Nick Duff, Anna Belits, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Case Report Of Marburg Multiple Sclerosis Responding To Mitoxantrone, Aruna Souri, Athena Dao, Russell Bartt

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

A Bullous Eruption In An 81-Year-Old Male, Garrett S. Furth, Christian J. Scheufele, Carlos S. Bahrami, Stephen E. Weis

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

INTRODUCTION: When a patient presents with a blistering rash arriving at the diagnosis can seem overwhelming. Bullous Pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease and tends to affect older individuals, with a mean age of presentation of eighty. It is caused by antibodies targeting the basement membrane zone, the structure between epidermis and dermis, specifically affecting the BP180 (Type-XVII collagen) and BP230 (a plakin) proteins. Antibody-antigen complexes lead to complement activation and destruction of these transmembrane proteins, causing separation of the epidermis and dermis, and formation of tense, subepidermal blisters and bullae. Identification of key clinical features and …

Recurrent Pleural Effusion, An Extraarticular Manifestation Of Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ronald Spinelle, Jeffin Cherian, Luke Rogers, Domenick Sorresso

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Drug Rash With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms (Dress), Grace M. Yedlicka, Jonah Warwick, Ryan Spilman

Continental, MidAmerica, & Mountain Divisions GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap For Hiv Education In Primary Care Setting, Oregon Mcdiarmid, Lindsay Porter

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Genotype And Disease Phenotype For Gluten-Related Disorders, Michael Roberts, Nadine Grzeskowiak, Stephen Bricher

Faculty Publications

We investigated gluten-related disorders (GRD) in intestinal biopsy-proven subjects to determine the relation between genotype (i.e., Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DQ alleles) and phenotype (i.e., antibody levels and clearly defined symptoms). Subjects had known DQ genotypes, information on IgA anti-Endomysial antibodies (EMA) and/or anti-tissue Trans Glutaminase (tTG) antibodies (tTGA). Subjects also answered a survey characterizing gastrointestinal, skin, and neural symptoms. Though all were biopsy-proven, HLA genotypes included all combinations of DQ2.5, DQ2.2, DQ8, DQ7.5, DQ5, and DQ6. Subject antibody levels were proportional to the number of DQ2.5 haplotypes, and subjects with non-CD-associated haplotypes did not have positive antibody scores (despite …

Characterization Of Pain In Lipedema: Reliability And Validity Of Pain Pressure Thresholds And Hand-Held Sphygmomanometer Assessments In People With Lipedema, Francesco Bettariga, Luca Fumagalli, Daniele Aloisi, Luca Maestroni, Sara Mantovani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal deposition of subcutaneous adipose tissue, leading to pain. The lack of internationally recognized diagnostic criteria complicates the characterization of pain. Physiological parameters such as pain pressure threshold (PPT) represent promising prognostic markers for diagnosing lipedema, yet they remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of two pain pressure measurements, PPT and the hand-held sphygmomanometer (HHS) in lipedema. Methods: A total of 28 adult females diagnosed with lipedema were recruited. Both PPT, using a digital algometer, and HHS, using a manual aneroid HHS, were performed to assess pain …

Quantification Of Antiviral Drug Tenofovir (Tfv) By Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Sers) Using Cumulative Distribution Functions (Cdfs), Marguerite R. Butler, Jana Hrncirova, Meredith Clark, Sucharita Dutta, John B. Cooper

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an ultrasensitive spectroscopic technique that generates signal-enhanced fingerprint vibrational spectra of small molecules. However, without rigorous control of SERS substrate active sites, geometry, surface area, or surface functionality, SERS is notoriously irreproducible, complicating the consistent quantitative analysis of small molecules. While evaporatively prepared samples yield significant SERS enhancement resulting in lower detection limits, the distribution of these enhancements along the SERS surface is inherently stochastic. Acquiring spatially resolved SERS spectra of these dried surfaces, we have shown that this enhancement is governed by a power law as a function of analyte concentration. Consequently, by definition, …

Acyclovir As A Novel Treatment For Severe Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus, Mary Therese Thomas, Philip Mardock, Amanda Wright, Kedar Arukala

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting As Aseptic Meningitis And Pancytopenia, Julia Collins, Roy Escobar, Vishnu Halthore, Ali Abu-Alya, Tanvir Khosla, Hamza Hansoti, Janita Sidhu, Elia Barraza, Zachary Charif, Azaam Mamoor, Ann Wierman, Venkatachalam Veerappan

Far West Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Complex Presentation Of Pemphigus Vulgaris Mimicking Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Yanie Oliva, Omar E. Melendez, Jasmin Cabrera, Alejandro Del Cerro Rondon

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Thymoma With Paraneoplastic Myasthenia Gravis, Dallin Beus, Sherwin Thomas, Amnah Andrabi

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

Background: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis, a rare manifestation of this condition, is often associated with underlying malignancies, such as thymic tumors. We present the case of a 51-year-old female patient with a mediastinal mass who developed paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic considerations in such cases. Case Description: A 51-year-old female presented with a one-month history of progressive muscle weakness, diplopia, and dysphagia. Clinical examination and serological tests led to the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a 6 cm mediastinal mass, …

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Secondary To Lupus Vasculitis, Karen Valdez-Cuen, Ammar Mahmood, Mohammad Ridha, Fahad Omar

Central & West Texas GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.

Menstruation-Induced Migraine And Ocular Symptoms In A Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Shafi Muneer

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2024

No abstract provided.