Immune System Diseases Commons^™

Adaptive Leggings For Crohn’S/Colitis/Isbs Patients With A Colostomy Bag, Sarah E. Liebbe

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

As the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, continues to rise in the United States, an increasing number of individuals undergo colostomy or ileostomy procedures requiring the use of an ostomy bag (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 2023). While these medical devices are essential for maintaining health and quality of life, they often introduce challenges related to clothing, including discomfort, lack of support, limited concealment, and restricted self-expression (Hubbard et al., 2019). Despite growing attention to inclusive design within the fashion industry, adaptive apparel for ostomy patients remains limited in availability, style, and affordability, leaving …

Coexisting Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura In A Clinically Stable Patient With Class V Lupus Nephritis, Anabel Al Abdallah, Nimmy Joy, Rodrigo Alfaro

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Organ Function Over Genotype: A Clinical Lesson From Multiple Myeloma With Severe Systemic Al Amyloidosis, Anabel Al Abdallah, Aasia Khan

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Identifying Major Sources Of Leptospira Interrogans In San Juan Bay And Río Grande De Loíza Estuaries Of Puerto Rico, Logan Mccullers, Dave Bachoon

Biology Theses

This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic Leptospira interrogans, potential carriers, and environmental factors influencing their occurrence in the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) and Río Grande de Loíza (RGDL) watersheds of Puerto Rico from 2024–2025. Detection of this pathogen from water samples was performed using the lipL32 PCR assay. The likely hosts of L. interrogans were determined using fecal source tracking (FST) assays for human (HF-183), canine (BacCan-UCD), equine (HoF597), and rat mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (RatMt) markers. In 2024, 91 samples were collected (March: 50; June: 41), and in 2025, 124 samples were collected …

Detection And Quantification Of Allergen Cross-Contact In Shared Frying Oil Using Targeted Mass Spectrometry, Francisca Asigri

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cow’s milk and egg allergies are prevalent IgE-mediated food allergies that pose significant public health concerns worldwide. Although strict avoidance remains the primary management strategy, unintended exposure can still occur through allergen cross-contact, particularly in commercial and industrial food operations that utilize shared frying oils. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify allergen transfer in shared frying oil and assess the robustness of existing targeted mass spectrometry methods (LC-MS/MS) for detecting milk and egg proteins in heated oil matrices.

Heated oil spikes were developed by incorporating non-fat dry milk (NFDM) and whole egg powder (WEP) into oil …

Prevalensi Covid-19 Derajat Berat Dan Kritis Saat Admisi Pada Pasien Penyakit Reumatik Autoimun Dan Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan, Mulia Destini, Anna Ariane, Mira Yulianti, Aulia Rizka, Ikhwan Rinaldi, Arif Mansjoer, Hasan Maulahela, Syahidatul Wafa

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are known to be more vulnerable to severe and critical infections, including COVID-19. Although it is no longer classified as a pandemic, SARS- CoV-2 infection still persists, and several surges of cases have been reported, including in Indonesia. To date, no data are available regarding the prevalence of severe and critical COVID-19 at admission in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Indonesia and the associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of severe and critical COVID-19 at admission in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, …

Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy In Association With Statin Exposure, Charlie E. Babcock, Phebie Rossi, Jennifer Hasvold

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Statins are first-line therapy for hyperlipidemia and are widely prescribed in primary care. Although generally safe, they carry rare but serious risks that must be considered on an individual basis. One such complication is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune condition characterized by persistent muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase (CK) despite discontinuation of the statin. We describe an 87-year-old man with a history of atorvastatin intolerance who was reinitiated on the medication five years later. Shortly thereafter, he developed progressive weakness, recurrent hospitalizations, and ultimately was diagnosed with IMNM confirmed by biopsy and HMG-CoA reductase antibodies. Despite treatment with …

Recurrent Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Case Report, Larry Vernier, Griffin B. Gilmore, Kelsey Van Housen, Xiao C. Zhang

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barré syndrome can manifest with progressive paralysis, requiring careful monitoring and treatment with steroids or intravenous (IV) immunoglobin. While this disease can be devastating and require intensive care unit level of care, there are few incidences of relapses.

CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old man with a past medical history of Miller Fisher syndrome variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with complete recovery, presented to the emergency department (ED) with ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, dysphonia, and ambulatory dysfunction. The patient noticed his neurologic symptoms after waking up, and he presented to the ED with physical examination positive for difficulty with upward gaze, mild right lower …

Dual Tyk2/Jak1 Inhibition By Brepocitinib Reprograms Synoviocyte Pathobiology: Mechanistic Insights Into Targeted Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Andromeda M. Nauli, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial hyperplasia, persistent inflammation, and joint destruction. Targeted inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, has improved RA treatment outcomes, though safety and selectivity remain as concerns. Brepocitinib, a dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, has shown clinical efficacy in the management of autoimmune diseases, yet its mechanistic impact on synoviocytes remains underexplored.

Objectives:

To investigate the molecular and functional effects of brepocitinib on MH7A and RA-FLS synoviocytes, a key effector cell type in RA pathogenesis.

Methods:

MH7A and RA-FLS cells were treated with brepocitinib (0.5 µM, 1 µM, and 5 …

Watery Diarrhea And Hypotension: A Missed Clue To Adrenal Crisis In A Patient With Addison's Disease, Wafa Mehboob, Umema Irfan, Keyaben Patel

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Necrotizing Sweet Syndrome In A Young Male: A Rare Clinical Mimic Of Necrotizing Fasciitis, Evan King, Rawad Radaa, Ryne Peters

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Predicting Oral Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Efficacy In Cisgender Women Across Pregnancy And Postpartum, Yifan Yu, Kristina M. Brooks, Gustavo F. Doncel, Brookie M. Best, Mark A. Marzinke, Mark Mirochnick, Peter L. Anderson, Landon Myer, Connie Celum, Renee Heffron, Jenell Coleman, Dvora L. Joseph Davey, Lanxin Zhang, Max Von Kleist, Craig W. Hendrix, Jeremiah D. Momper, Robert Bies, Rachel K. Scott

CONRAD Publications

Cisgender women face an increased risk of HIV acquisition during pregnancy and postpartum. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) is recommended in pregnancy despite limited published pharmacokinetic (PK) and efficacy data during pregnancy. Altered PK during pregnancy may reduce prophylactic efficacy and necessitate higher adherence. Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a newer tenofovir prodrug with higher tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) exposure in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but the prophylactic efficacy of F/TAF across different reproductive stages in women is understudied. We adapted a multiscale modeling framework to predict the prophylactic efficacy of F/TDF and F/TAF across …

Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis With Miller-Fischer Syndrome Following Campylobacter Infection, Jason Hall, Weston Durland, Brandon West, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis In A Severely Immunocompromised Patient With Lupus Nephritis, Sumon Khalique, Emaan Ul Haque, Randy Vo, Bayan Zafar

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Lupus, Children's Health School Services

School Guides

Educator guide about how to support students with lupus.

A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Dose–Response Study To Assess The Gluten Threshold Dose In Celiac Disease, A. James M. Daveson, Emma Craig, Alina Vitak, Robert S. Ware, Jennifer Schafer, Anuj Sehgal, Utpal Bose, Michelle J. Colgrave, Melinda Y. Hardy, Jason A. Tye-Din, Robert P. Anderson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background & Aims: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion. The effect of very small gluten exposures remains uncertain, contributing to international variations in food-labeling standards. Interleukin 2 (IL2) rises rapidly after gluten ingestion, serving as a biomarker of immune activation. We aimed to identify the lowest gluten dose that elicits a measurable IL2 response and accompanying symptoms in treated celiac disease. Methods: We conducted a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled adaptive dose–response trial in adults with biopsy-proven celiac disease on a gluten-free diet for >2 years. Participants (n = 51; median age, 52 years; 69% were female) underwent …

Serum Igg N-Glycosylation Profiles Distinguish Primary Sjögren’S Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And Are Associated With Disease Activity In Sjögren’S Disease, Zhixian Chen, Xiaojia Xu, Manshu Song, Fengcai Shen, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang, Ling Lin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: IgG N-glycosylation regulates immune effector functions and inflammation, but disease-specific patterns in primary Sjögren’s disease (SjD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are insufficiently defined, particularly in SjD.

Objectives: To identify serum IgG N-glycan biomarkers that differentiate SjD, RA, and SLE and reflect disease activity in SjD.

Design: A clinical case-control study.

Methods: Serum IgG N-glycans from 88 SjD patients, 102 RA patients, 86 SLE patients and 91 healthy controls were profiled using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Discriminative glycans were selected through machine learning-based feature selection and evaluated for their diagnostic performance using cross-validated logistic regression and receiver …

Multiparametric Flow Cytometry Immune Profiling Of Pulmonary And Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis Reveals Distinct Blood-Based Biomarker Signatures, Kalaiarasan Ellappan, Prakash Babu Narasimhan, Harriet N. Garlant, Seshadri Vasan, Komal Jain, Saka Vinod Kumar, Vishnukanth Govindaraj, Vir Singh Negi, Karen E. Kempsell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigated immune cell distributions, cell-specific immune markers, and selected biomarker targets in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) using multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC). Whole blood was collected from 45 individuals, including healthy controls (HC), EPTB, and PTB patients (n = 15/group). Peripheral blood leukocytes were analysed by MFC to characterize CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK), invariant NKT (iNKT) and NKT cells, classical (CM), intermediate (IM) and non-classical monocytes (NCM), and activated monocytes (AM). Expression of GBP1, CALCOCO2, IFIT3, SNX10, ARG1, PD-1, and PD-L1 was assessed across these immune subsets. Increased frequencies of NK, NKT, …

A Case Report Of Anaphylactic Shock To Tirzepatide, Elinor Barsh, Mohamed Ahmed, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis, Alexis Lopez Cruz, Praise Ohabor, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.