Immune System Diseases Commons^™

A Systematic Review On Belimumab’S Effectiveness, Improved Health Outcomes And Quality Of Life In Patients With Lupus Syndromes, Emily Meale, Alexandra Fontaine

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Autoimmune diseases are prevalent disorders that many individuals within the United States suffer from. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease that has a high incidence in women of child-bearing age. Management for lupus depends on the anatomical location SLE manifests, the severity of disease, and the tolerance that one has for certain adverse effects. Glucocorticoids are commonly used to manage lupus. Currently, long term glucocorticoid usage is associated with devastating adverse effects, so current treatment options aim to mitigate corticosteroids use to improve quality of life while maintaining favorable health outcomes. New management for SLE include biologics …

A Novel Approach To Hiv Testing: Group Harm Reduction And Testing For High Risk Women In Nj, Gabrianna A. Andrews

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Outreach programs have been implemented aimed at providing healthcare to minority populations and those considered high-risk for acquiring HIV. Variables such as these cause hesitance in community members, preventing HIV screenings and adherence to follow-ups. This study provides and evaluates a new approach: group HIV testing. Data was collected from 6/2/2023 to 4/19/2024 by surveying participants at the end of the interaction. 87.5% of participants rated their care at the mobile clinic as ‘Excellent’, 8% as ‘Very Good’, and 4.5% as ‘Good’. 95.6% of participants ranked Group Harm Reduction Counseling as ‘Definitely’ helpful. 84.4% of participants did not find that …

“Lupus, Marijuana, And Takotsubo: A Perfect Storm”: An Unusual Presentation Of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, Matthew Orap, Parth Patel, Haitham Dib

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a type of myocardial injury that is marked with left ventricular contraction dysfunction. Various regions of the left ventricular wall may exhibit hypokinetic or hypercontractile activity. There is no exact mechanism elucidated for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, but it is often associated with a triggering stressful event that leads to a catecholamine surge. We describe a 38-year-old female who presented with typical Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, likely in the setting of worsening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exacerbations and excessive cannabis use. The patient described her pain as a tight burning sensation that started on her right side and traveled to the …

Chilling Complications: A Case Of Covid-Associated Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Aiha), Julian Coz, Kishan B. Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cold Agglutinin disease (CAD) also known as Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) is a form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia wherein cold agglutinins (IgM autoantibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens) bind during cold temperatures causing clinical symptoms related to RBC agglutination resulting to hemolytic anemia. Clinicians should recognize that Cold Agglutinin disease can be secondary to an underlying pathology such as COVID-19. Here we describe an unusual case of Cold Agglutinin Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia which was diagnosed in the Emergency Department with the presence of COVID-19 and with a hospital course complicated by acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and bilateral …

Exploring Subtype C Hiv-1 Tissue Reservoirs And The Impact Of Cannabis Use In Virally Suppressed African Individuals, Zhou Liu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically prolonged the lives of people living with HIV (PLWH), but it is not curative as it cannot eliminate integrated HIV-1 proviruses in different tissue reservoirs. Even though subtype C HIV-1 accounts for almost half of global HIV-1 infections, few studies had evaluated HIV-1 reservoirs for this subtype. Many co-factors, including the lifestyle factor cannabis use, have been investigated for their potential effects in HIV-1 infection. However, only limited information exists regarding cannabis’s effects on HIV-1 infections in vivo, and the impact of cannabis use on HIV-1 parenchymal tissue reservoirs is unexplored. This dissertation aims to …

Evaluating The Association Of Influenza Vaccination On Long-Term Covid-19 Symptoms In U.S. Adults, Ratnakar Pingili

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective. To evaluate the association of influenza vaccination in the past 12 months with Long COVID effects and clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Methods. Cross-sectional study with data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), covering 415,132 non-institutionalized U.S. adults with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and influenza vaccination reported within the last 12 months. Logistic regression was conducted between influenza vaccination (exposure) and Long COVID (outcome), controlling for demographic variables, pre-existing health conditions, and socioeconomic status.

Results. Of 120,603 participants, 21.89% reported Long COVID symptoms and 42.04% had received an influenza vaccine. Findings indicate a statistically significant 13% reduction …

Clinical Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndromes Or Revascularization Among People Living With Hiv: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mohammed Haji, Michael Capilupi, Michael Kwok, Nouran Ibrahim, Gerald S Bloomfield, Christopher T Longenecker, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas, Chester N Ashong, Eric Jutkowitz, Tracey H Taveira, Michelle Richard, Jennifer L Sullivan, James L Rudolph, Wen-Chih Wu, Sebhat Erqou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

IMPORTANCE: Clinical outcomes after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in people living with HIV have not been characterized in sufficient detail, and extant data have not been synthesized adequately.

OBJECTIVE: To better characterize clinical outcomes and postdischarge treatment of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs compared with patients in an HIV-negative control group.

DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for all available longitudinal studies of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs from inception until August 2023.

STUDY SELECTION: Included studies met the following criteria: patients living with …

The Role Of Psychogenic Factors In The Etiopathogenesis Of Autoimmune Disorders In The Oral Cavity, Nadya T. Avramova, Boyko K. Bonev

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Autoimmune disorders (AD) represent a heterogeneous group of multifactorial chronic conditions, which are triggered secondary to the loss of self-antigen tolerance. Their etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors; however, AD cannot be explained by these factors alone. Recent studies have shown increasing stress levels in industrialized countries and also increasing trends in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. The oral mucosa is extremely responsive to emotional influences such as stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, oral diseases can appear as a direct expression of emotions or indirectly, due to various psychological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to find and …

A Case Series Of Unusual Iga Vasculitis, Jared Bradley, Ian Whitaker, Brittany Lyons, Amy Mangla

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgA)is a rare condition characterized by palpable purpura, often involving the skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints, and kidneys. Presentation is usually acute and is more common in children and adolescents of Southeast Asian and European descent. In the adult population, it is less common and therapies are not as well-established.

Case Presentation

Disease prevalence of IgA vasculitis outside Southeast Asian and European populations is not well-documented. In this case series, we present 2 cases of IgA vasculitis in 2 older adult males, one of Native American descent and one of African American descent.

Conclusion

IgA vasculitis must …

Development And Implementation Of An Evidence Based Practice Guideline Related To The Management Of Adult Angioedema, Megan Przybysz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Angioedema (AE) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs with a higher frequency than medical providers may expect, with the emergency department (ED) serving as the usual first point of medical contact for patients. Any hesitation in recognizing AE or inconsideration of the disease process in differential diagnoses may lead to a dangerous delay of care. Due to the potential rapid progression of airway obstruction in AE, inexperienced providers should not attempt intubation, instead deferring to providers experienced in alternative airway techniques (i.e., anesthesia providers). The primary goal of this project is to develop an evidencebased practice guideline for …

The Impact Of Eggs On Inflammatory And Immune Profiles In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), Clara Martin

Honors Scholar Theses

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 5-15% of women of reproductive age. Characterized by symptoms such as hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and insulin resistance, PCOS is also linked with significant health complications including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies highlight the critical role of immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation in exacerbating PCOS pathology, suggesting that managing these immune responses could alleviate the broader health impacts of the disorder.

Nutritional interventions, particularly those targeting immune and inflammatory pathways, have emerged as promising strategies for managing PCOS. Among various dietary components, the intake of …

The Impact Of Telemedicine On Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv)-Related Clinical Outcomes During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Avery Lin Cox, Daniel Tsang, Lisa A. Spacek, Constantine Daskalakis, Dagan Coppock

Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine Faculty Papers

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated barriers to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). The quick uptake of telemedicine in the outpatient setting provided promise for care continuity. In this study, we compared appointment and laboratory no-show rates in an urban outpatient HIV clinic during three time periods: (1) Pre-COVID-19: 9/15/2019-3/14/2020 (predominately in-person), (2) "Early" COVID-19: 3/15/2020-9/14/2020 (predominately telemedicine), and (3) "Later" COVID-19: 9/15/2020-3/14/2021 (mixed in-person/telemedicine). Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the two study hypotheses: (i) equivalence of Period 2 with Period 1 and of Period 3 with Period 1 and (ii) improved outcomes …

Investigating Vital Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Pathogen Response In Neutropenic Individuals, Ryan Illig

Thinking Matters Symposium

Neutrophils, also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), constitute the majority of innate immune cells. These cells possess a complex arsenal of functions that allow them to detect and eliminate a broad spectrum of pathogens. Neutropenia is characterized by decreased levels of neutrophils in the bloodstream, typically falling below the normal range. Moderate to severe neutropenia can increase the risk of pathogenic infections and without treatment can be life-threatening. Although the concentration of neutrophils in neutropenic individuals is decreased, upon activation, neutrophils still release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are pivotal in combating a spectrum of pathogens through their non-selective nature. Overreactive …

Engineering Mesenchymal Stromal Cells To Suppress Inflammation And Increase Beta-Cell Mass For Treating Type 1 Diabetes, Dhruva Patel

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas. There is no cure for the disease, and the current treatment involves life-long, daily injection of insulin. An ideal therapy for T1D will be the suppression of autoimmunity and increased functional beta-cell mass. The immune regulatory cytokine IL10 can suppress inflammation in various autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, several growth factors and peptide hormones are known to promote an increase in beta-cell mass, through neogenesis and beta-cell proliferation. However, efficient induction of increased beta-cell mass requires preferential and …

Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Certolizumab Pegol Monotherapy In Psoriatic Arthritis, Tan T. Tran, Raesham Bukhari, Mahmood Danishwar, Mohammad Abu Tineh, Syed Jaleel

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis With Pitting Edema (Rs3pe) - A Hidden Inflammation Unveiled, Tirumala Nischal Jasty, Jon Nesfeder

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Evolving Role Of Monomethyl Fumarate Treatment As Pharmacotherapy For Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, Alan D. Kaye, John Lacey, Viet Le, Ahmed Fazal, Nicole A. Boggio, Dorothy H. Askins, Lillian Anderson, Christopher L. Robinson, Antonella Paladini, Chizoba N. Mosieri, Adam M. Kaye, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Giustino Varrassi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) worldwide. Multiple sclerosis involves inflammatory demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS, often presenting with recurrent episodes of focal sensory or motor deficits associated with the region of the CNS affected. The prevalence of this disease has increased rapidly over the last decade. Despite the approval of many new pharmaceutical therapies in the past 20 years, there remains a growing need for alternative therapies to manage the course of this disease. Treatments are separated into two main categories: management of acute flare versus long-term prevention of …

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 …