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Lupus enteritis (LE) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The pathophysiology of LE has not been fully elucidated, although inflammatory and thrombotic processes are likely important factors. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may depend on which portion of the intestine is affected. Over half of the patients with LE also present with renal or haematological complications. The diagnosis of LE is based on clinical, histopathological and imaging findings; abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard in diagnosis. Abdominal CT can also identify factors that predict complications and could potentially guide pharmacological and nutritional management. Timely identification and prompt treatment initiation are paramount to avoid life and organ threatening complications. Glucocorticoids are often the first-line treatment. Additional therapy including immunosuppressive therapy is utilised on a case-by-case basis as there are no clinical trials to define the optimal therapeutic approach. Surgical intervention may be needed especially if there is bowel perforation or peritonitis. In general, the prognosis of LE is good.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective is to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without lupus enteritis (LE) and to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of LE. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, case-control study in hospitalized patients with SLE who were admitted to our tertiary hospital between January 2012 and December 2021. Sixteen LE patients (cases) were matched (1:3 ratio) for sex and birth year with 48 non-LE patients (controls). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the variables associated with LE. RESULTS: Of 2,479 SLE patients who were admitted to our hospital as inpatients, 16 (0.65%) were diagnosed as having LE. All patients, cases and controls, were of Mestizo ethnicity. SLE was diagnosed simultaneously with the first episode of LE in 10 (62.5%) patients. The median time from SLE diagnosis to the first episode of LE was 7 (IQR 0-78) months. LE patients had a shorter median disease duration [7 (0-78) vs 34 (9.5-79) months], and a significantly longer hospital stay (28.3 ± 15.8 vs 6.5 ± 7.9 days, p < 0.001) than non-LE patients. Most LE patients (93.8%) had concomitant lupus nephritis. LE patients had higher SLEDAI-2K scores than those without LE (20.5 ± 9.4 vs 9.8 ± 10.4, p < 0.001). By multivariable analysis, a higher SLEDAI-2K score (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18; p = 0.015) was independently associated with LE occurrence after adjusting for cutaneous involvement, lymphocyte count, serum creatinine, and serum complement C4. Recurrence was observed in two patients (12.5%), both with a bowel wall thickening > 8 mm. The two patients with large intestine-dominant LE developed intestinal pseudo-obstruction. No patient had life-threatening complications (intestinal hemorrhage, infarction, or perforation), and there were no deaths induced directly by LE itself. CONCLUSION: In patients of Mestizo ethnicity, LE occurs during the early course of SLE, frequently is one of the presenting manifestations of SLE, and in most cases, it presents with concomitant lupus nephritis. Higher levels of disease activity at diagnosis were independently associated with LE occurrence and when recurrences occur, they do so in the context of severe wall thickness.

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Among myositis-specific antibodies, anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) is one of the antibodies with a unique spectrum that is expressed principally in clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) and, to a lesser extent, in dermatomyositis (DM). In addition to muscle and classical skin involvement, patients with anti-MDA5 DM/CADM are characterized by the expression of rapidly progressive interstitial lung diseases, vasculopathic lesions, and non-erosive arthritis. Although cardiac involvement has been described in other inflammatory myopathies, such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and conduction disorders, in anti-MDA5 DM/CADM patients, heart disease is infrequent. We report a case of a young male presenting with constitutional symptoms, polyarthritis, skin ulcers, and mild muscle weakness who developed an episode of high ventricular rate atrial fibrillation during his hospitalization. The anti-MDA5 DM diagnosis was supported by increased muscular enzymes, positive anti-MDA5 and anti-Ro52 antibodies, and the presence of organizing pneumonia. He was treated with high-dose glucocorticoids, rituximab, and beta-blocker drugs and received pharmacological cardioversion, which improved his myopathy symptoms and stabilized his heart rhythm. Here, we describe eight similar cases of anti-MDA5 DM/CADM with cardiac involvement. The case presented and the literature reviewed reveal that although rare, physicians must be aware of cardiac disease in patients with suggestive symptoms to guarantee early assessment and treatment, thereby reducing life-treating consequences.

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Introduction: Hospitalized patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) generate high impact in clinical terms. Objectives: To characterize the study population and estimate risk factors associated with the presence of adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients consulting rheumatology at Clínica Imbanaco between January 2013 and December 2019. Methods: We analyzed a historical cohort of hospitalized patients who were evaluated by rheumatology. The population was classified as follows: group 1, patients with new onset diagnosed SARDs; group 2, patients with known diagnosed SARDs; group 3, patients without diagnosed SARDs; and group 4, patients with unconfirmed suspicion of SARDs. A composite adverse outcome was defined if at least one of the following occurred: (1) hospital mortality, (2) admission to the intensive care unit, (3) hospital infection, or (4) readmission. Results: Information was collected from 327 hospitalization events (307 patients). The median age was 48 (34-63) years and 222 (72.3%) were women. The composite adverse outcome occurred in 136 (41.5%) hospitalization events. Group 2 had the highest number of adverse outcomes (61/128; 47.6%). The variables associated with the worst outcomes were cardiovascular diagnosis at admission (OR = 4.63; CI: 1.60-13.43; p = 0.005), longer hospital stay (OR = 1.04; CI: 1.01-1.07; p = 0.005), and a treating specialty other than internal medicine (OR = 2.79; CI: 1.26-6.17; p = 0.011). Male sex (OR = 0.29; CI: 0.12-0.66; p = 0.004), having special health coverage (OR = 0.39; CI: 0.15-.099; p = 0.047), and hemoglobin > 11.4 g/dL (OR = 0.82; CI: 0.69-0.99; p = 0.039) were the factors associated with lower odds of developing the composite outcome. Conclusions: In this historical cohort, the group of patients with known diagnosed SARDs presented a higher number in percentage terms of adverse outcomes. The most frequent adverse outcomes were admission to the ICU and hospital readmission.

Introducción: Los pacientes hospitalizados con enfermedades reumáticas o autoinmunes sistémicas (ERAS) generan gran impacto en términos clínicos. Objetivos: Caracterizar a la población y estimar factores de riesgo asociados con la presencia de desenlaces adversos en pacientes evaluados hospitalariamente por reumatología en la Clínica Imbanaco durante los arios 2013-2019. Metodología: Se analizó una cohorte histórica de pacientes hospitalizados que fueron evaluados por reumatología. La población se clasificó así: grupo 1, pacientes con ERAS diagnosticada de novo; grupo 2, pacientes con ERAS diagnosticada conocida; grupo 3, pacientes sin ERAS diagnosticada; y grupo 4, pacientes con sospecha no confirmada de ERAS. Se definió un desenlace adverso compuesto si se presentó al menos uno de los siguientes casos: 1) mortalidad hospitalaria; 2) ingreso a la unidad de cuidado intensivo; 3) infección intrahospitalaria; 4) reingreso. Resultados: En un total de 327 eventos de hospitalización (307 pacientes), la mediana de edad fue 48 (34-63) años y 222 (72,3%) fueron mujeres. El desenlace adverso compuesto se presentó en 136 (41,5%) eventos. El grupo 2 tuvo mayor número de desenlaces adversos (61/128; 47,6%). Las variables asociadas con peores resultados fueron: diagnóstico inicial cardiovascular (OR = 4,63; IC: 1,60-13,43; p = 0,005), mayor estancia hospitalaria (OR = 1,04; IC: 1,01-1,07; p = 0,005) y tener una especialidad tratante diferente a medicina interna (OR = 2,79; IC: 1,266,17; p = 0,011). El sexo masculino (OR = 0,29; IC: 0,12-0,66; p = 0,004), pertenecer a un régimen especial de salud (OR = 0,39; IC: 0,15-0,99; p = 0,047) y tener hemoglobina > 11,4 g/dL (OR = 0,82; IC: 0,69-0,99; p = 0,039) fueron factores asociados con menor oportunidad de desarrollar el desenlace compuesto. Conclusiones: En esta cohorte histórica se encontró que porcentualmente el grupo de pacientes con ERAS diagnosticadas conocidas presentó mayor número de desenlaces adversos, entre los que se destacan para el mismo grupo, el ingreso a UCI y el reingreso hospitalario.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous, multisystemic autoimmune disease with a broad clinical spectrum. Loss of self-tolerance and chronic inflammation are critical markers of SLE pathogenesis. Although alterations in adaptive immunity are widely recognized, increasing reports indicate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in activating pathogenic pathways involving the innate immune system. Among these, disarrangements in mitochondrial DNA copy number and heteroplasmy percentage are related to SLE activity. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress contributes to post-translational changes in different molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids), release of oxidized mitochondrial DNA through a pore of voltage-dependent anion channel oligomers, and spontaneous mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein oligomerization. Finally, a reduction in mitophagy, apoptosis induction, and NETosis has been reported in SLE. Most of these pathways lead to persistent and inappropriate exposure to oxidized mitochondrial DNA, which can stimulate plasmacytoid dendritic cells, enhance autoreactive lymphocyte activation, and release increased amounts of interferons through stimulation of toll-like receptors and cytosolic DNA sensors. Likewise, abnormal T-cell receptor activation, decreased regulatory T cells, enhanced Th17 phenotypes, and increased monocyte maturation to dendritic cells have also been observed in SLE. Targeting the players involved in mitochondrial damage can ultimately help.

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In the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there is a dysregulation of specific immune cells, including T cells. The metabolic reprogramming in T cells causes different effects. Metabolic programs are critical checkpoints in immune responses and are involved in the etiology of autoimmune disease. For instance, resting lymphocytes generate energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO), whereas activated lymphocytes rapidly shift to the glycolytic pathway. Specifically, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, abnormal metabolism (including glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism), and mTOR signaling are hallmarks of T lymphocyte metabolic dysfunction in SLE. Herein it is summarized how metabolic defects contribute to T cell responses in SLE, and some epigenetic alterations involved in the disease. Finally, it is shown how metabolic defects could be modified therapeutically.

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INTRODUCTION: Nitazoxanide is a member of a new class of drug, thiazolides, and it was discovered in 1984 with antimicrobial activity effect against anaerobic bacteria, Hepatitis virus, protozoa, and helminths. METHODS: A bibliometric study on four databases (1984-2016) - Medline, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO - characterizing the global scientific production of nitazoxanide. We determined the quantity, quality (number of citations), and types of studies developed by each country, characterizing them by years, international cooperation, development, place of publication, authors (with its H-index), and groups with higher impact. RESULTS: There were 512 articles in Medline - the higher scientific production is from the USA (19.71%), Switzerland (7.51%), and Mexico (7.27%). There were 1,440 articles in Scopus - from the USA (8.98%), Mexico (2.13%), and India (1.65%). There were 405 articles in LILACS - from Mexico (4.69%), the USA (4.2%), and Peru (2.47%). There were 47 articles in SciELO - from Brazil (34.04%), Venezuela (21.28%), and Colombia (14.89%). The H-index of nitazoxanide is 75 - the USA (26), Egypt (12), and Canada (10) were the countries contributing more with that. CONCLUSIONS: Nitazoxanide research has been highly important. Nevertheless, it is relatively limited when compared with other drugs. Its research has been led by the USA, as revealed in this bibliometric assessment. Although some developing countries, where it is used especially for protozoa and helminths, probably have its influence, and this explains the fact that Mexico and India, among others, are the top countries in the scientific production of this anti-infective agent. This bibliometric study evidenced a relatively low number of publications, however, it has been increased in recent years.

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