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Introduction: Tumor Necrosis Factor Type 1 Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare autosomal dominant autosomal autoinflammatory disease associated with mutations in the TNF type 1 receptor gene (TNFRSF1A). It is characterized by relatively long recurrent febrile seizures with an average duration of 7 days accompanied by arthralgia, myalgia, and usually a rash. In a patient of Mediterranean origin with recurrent fever, familial Mediterranean fever is the first diagnosis to be suspected by argument of frequency.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients from Mediterranean origin followed for TRAPS and included in the "Juvenile Inflammatory Rheumatism" (JIR) observational cohort in the national French autoinflammatory center. The age of onset of symptoms, age of diagnosis, number of years of wandering and treatments received were collected for each index case.Results: Nine patients from 6 families of Mediterranean origin were included. A molecular diagnosis confirmed TRAPS in all patients. The median age at diagnosis was 26 years, the mean number of years of wandering was 17 years. The diagnosis of FMF was made first in all patients. AA amyloidosis revealed TRAPS in 2 patients. Colchicine was started without any efficacy in all cases. Five patients were treated with interleukin-1 inhibitory biotherapy with 100% efficacy.Conclusion: In a patient of Mediterranean origin presenting with recurrent febrile abdominal pain of AA amyloidosis, the first diagnosis to be suspected is FMF. Long relapses, dominant transmission, a non-Mediterranean relative, and the ineffectiveness of colchicine should evoke TRAPS., IntroductionLe syndrome périodique associé aux mutations du récepteur du facteur de nécrose tumorale de type 1 (TRAPS) est une maladie auto-inflammatoire autosomique dominante rare associée à des mutations du gène du récepteur de type 1 du TNF (TNFRSF1A). Elle se caractérise par des douleurs abdominales fébriles récurrentes relativement longues accompagnées d’arthromyalgies. Le principal diagnostic différentiel est la fièvre méditerranéenne familiale (FMF).MéthodesÉtude observationnelle rétrospective sur les patients d’origine Méditerranéenne suivis pour TRAPS et inclus dans la cohorte observationnelle « Juvenile Inflammatory Rheumatism » (JIR) L’âge du début des symptômes, l’âge du diagnostic, le nombre d’années d’errance et les traitements reçus ont été recueillis pour chaque cas index.RésultatsNeuf patients issus de 6 familles ont été inclus ; un diagnostic moléculaire avait confirmé le TRAPS chez tous. L’âge médian au diagnostic était de 26 ans, le nombre moyen d’année d’errance était de 17 ans. Le diagnostic de FMF avait été porté en premier lieu chez tous les patients. L’amylose AA a révélé le TRAPS chez 2 patients. La colchicine a été débutée sans aucune efficacité dans tous les cas. Cinq patients ont été traités par une biothérapie inhibant l’interleukine-1 avec une efficacité de 100 %.ConclusionChez un patient d’origine méditerranéenne présentant des douleurs abdominales fébriles récurrentes plus ou moins compliquées d’amylose AA, le premier diagnostic à évoquer est la FMF. Des poussées longues, une transmission d’allure dominante, un parent non méditerranéen, et l’inefficacité de la colchicine doivent faire évoquer le TRAPS.

INTRODUCTION AL amyloidosis is caused by the proliferation of an immunoglobulin-secreting B cell clone. AA amyloidosis is a rare complication of chronic inflammation. However, some patients present with diseases combining monoclonal immunoglobulin production and chronic inflammation. The aim of this work was to describe cases of AA amyloidosis associated with monoclonal gammopathies. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed all patients reported in French national amyloid centres presenting with AA amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy and performed a literature review. The quality of AA amyloidosis diagnosis and the causal relationship with monoclonal gammopathy were assessed. RESULTS In total, four patients from our centres and eight from the literature fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The haematological disorders presenting with monoclonal gammopathy were as follows: Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (n = 8), Schnitzler syndrome (n = 2), multiple myeloma (n = 1) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n = 1). Treatment strategies varied among the cases, with the treatment of the haematological disorder in 4 and anti-inflammatory treatment in 2. CONCLUSION Monoclonal gammopathies might be a rare and poorly known cause of AA amyloidosis. Such monoclonal gammopathies could be named "monoclonal gammopathies of inflammatory significance."

Clinical manifestations are scarce in AA amyloidosis and, contrary to other types of amyloidosis, involvement of the peripheral nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system, was rarely re...

Autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by innate immunity abnormalities. In autoinflammatory diseases (AID), inflammatory blood biomarkers are elevated during crisis without infection and usually without autoantibodies. The first 4 described AID were familial Mediterranean fever, cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndrome (CAPS) or NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory disease (NRLP3-AID), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and TNFRSF1A-receptor associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS). Since their description 20 years ago, and with the progresses of genetic analysis, many new diseases have been discovered; some with recurrent fever, others with predominant cutaneous symptoms or even immune deficiency. After describing the 4 historical recurrent fevers, some polygenic inflammatory diseases will also be shortly described such as Still disease and periodic fever with adenitis, pharyngitis and aphtous (PFAPA) syndrome. To better explore AID, some key anamnesis features are crucial such as the family tree, the age at onset, crisis length and organs involved in the clinical symptoms. An acute phase response is mandatory in crisis.

Our aim was to describe the main features of amyloid goiter in adults with amyloidosis secondary to familial Mediterranean fever. Therefore, we analyzed cases from a French cohort of familial Mediterranean fever patients with amyloidosis and from literature review. Forty-two cases were identified: 9 from the French cohort and 33 from literature review. Ninety percent of patients were on hemodialysis for renal amyloidosis before the development of goiter. The goiter grew up rapidly in 88% of cases, 75.6% of patients were euthyroid, 58% displayed dyspnea, and 44.8% dysphagia. Various features were seen on ultrasound, from diffuse to multinodular goiter. When it was performed, fine-needle aspiration biopsy almost always revealed amyloidosis. Thirty-one patients underwent thyroidectomy: to manage compressive symptoms (72%) or rule out malignancy (27%). Histology showed mature adipose tissue in 64% of cases and lymphocytic infiltration in 21.4%. In conclusion, amyloid goiter in familial Mediterranean fever preferentially occurs in patients with end stage renal failure. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy seems to be a sensitive exam for diagnosis, but thyroidectomy remains sometimes necessary to rule out malignancy or release compressive symptoms.

International audience; Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), the most common monogenic auto-inflammatory disease, is characterized by recurrent febrile abdominal pain. Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI), one of the most frequent infections worldwide, can mimic an FMF attack.Objectives: Identify FMF patients with HPI in a cohort of French FMF patients and the literature and identify features allowing to distinguish HPI from an FMF attack.Methods: A retrospective study of all HPI cases was performed on the cohort of FMF patients fulfilling the Livneh criteria from the French Reference Center for rare Auto-Inflammatory Diseases and Amyloidosis (CEREMAIA). A systematic literature review of HPI in FMF patients was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.Results: Eight French patients developed HPI, whose symptoms of epigastralgia, diarrhea, anorexia/weight loss, and nausea/vomiting differed from their typical abdominal FMF attacks. A total of 112 FMF patients with HPI have been described in the literature, including 61 adults. Diagnosis of HPI was made by gastroscopy (n = 43), labelled urea test (n = 55) or IgG serology by ELISA (n = 12). When performed, C-reactive protein was always elevated. Ten cases of interaction between colchicine and antibiotic therapy for HPI (clarithromycin (n = 9) and azithromycin (n = 1)) were reported.Conclusion: We described a total of 120 patients with typical FMF and HPI. When FMF patients develop atypical abdominal symptoms, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies is essential to eliminate underlying HPI. Untreated HPI can lead to misdiagnosis of colchicine resistance with inappropriate prescription of an interleukin-1 inhibitor at a non-negligible cost.

International audience; Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent monogenic autoinflammatory disorder; and leads to the uncontrolled production of interleukin (IL)-1β. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system; and its development seems to be partly correlated with IL-1β levels. It is hypothesized that FMF could be associated with MS. We aim to describe the features of patients displaying both diseases and to investigate the MEFV mutation rate in MS patients.Methods: Patients with definite MS were retrieved from the cohort of FMF patients in the Reference Center for Rare Auto-inflammatory Diseases and Amyloidosis (CEREMAIA). We also performed a systematic literature review of articles from PubMed that were published from 1990 to 2020.Results: Twenty-four patients were included in the case series: five patients (1.3%) from our cohort of 364 and 19 patients from the literature. The sex ratio was 2:1. The mean age at diagnosis of FMF was 19 years old; and that for MS was 29 years old. Seven studies investigating the MEFV mutation rate in MS patients were included. Three studies found a higher mutation rate in MS patients than in the control group.Conclusion: FMF and MS features were comparable to those of patients with unrelated diseases; and MEFV mutation carriage was not positively correlated with MS. However; MS prevalence in FMF patients was higher than was expected in a healthy population. To a lesser extent; FMF prevalence in MS patients was higher than expected in a healthy population and the difference might not be significant. These data suggest that FMF could be associated with MS; and further studies are needed to investigate a potential causal association.

Objectives TNF receptor-1-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare autosomal dominant autoinflammatory disorder associated with mutations in the TNF receptor super family 1 A (TNFRSF1A) gene. AA amyloidosis (AA) is the most severe complication of TRAPS. To study the occurrence and prognosis of AA in TRAPS, we conducted a retrospective study of all French cases and a systematic literature review. Methods This case series includes TRAPS patients followed by our centre from 2000 to 2020 presenting with histologically confirmed AA. We conducted a systematic literature review on the PubMed and EMBASE databases for articles published up to February 2021 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and using the keywords: amyloidoisis, amyloid, TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome, TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, TRAPS, TNFRSF1A, familial hibernian fever and hibernian familial fever. Results A total of 41 TRAPS with AA were studied: three new patients and 38 cases from the literature. AA diagnosis preceded that of TRAPS in 96% of cases, and 17/36 (47%) required renal replacement therapy. Death occurred in 5/36 (14%) with a median follow-up of 23 months. Effect of biologics on AA were available for 21 regimens in 19 patients: 10 improved renal function, seven stabilized and four worsened. Four patients (36% of transplanted patients) relapse AA on kidney graft (only one under etanercept). Conclusion TRAPS is revealed by AA in most cases. Therefore, clinical features of TRAPS should be screened for in AA patients. IL-1 antagonist can help to normalize inflammation and to preserve renal function.

Introduction La nouvelle pandemie mondiale (COVID19) causee par le coronavirus 2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu severe (SRAS-CoV-2) est responsable de nombreux deces dans le monde entier au cours des derniers mois. Au cours des formes graves, il a ete note une reponse inflammatoire exageree connue sous le nom de “orage cytokinique”. Ceci a souleve la question de la sensibilite et de la gravite de l’infection par le SRAS-CoV2 chez les patients presentant une hyperactivation genetique de l’immunite innee tels que la fievre mediterraneenne familiale (FMF). En outre, les patients avec FMF prennent de la colchicine au long cours, medicament qui a ete teste chez des patients infectes par le SRAS-CoV2 avec des resultats contradictoires [1] . Patients et methodes Etude menee sur l’infection par le SRAS-CoV2 chez les patients atteints de FMF suivis dans 2 sites du centre de reference national des maladies autoinflammatoires en region parisienne et inclus dans la JIR cohorte, une base de donnees europeenne multicentrique. Les patients adultes et pediatriques inclus repondaient aux criteres internationaux de FMF et avaient un diagnostic genetique confirme. Resultats Les patients identifies (n = 627) ont ete invites a repondre a un bref questionnaire soit en consultation, soit par telephone, soit par courrier electronique sur une possible infection par le SARS-CoV2 pendant la periode de mars a juin 2020 ; 342 patients ont repondu a l’enquete. Le diagnostic etait retenu si le patient presentait des symptomes cliniques avec PCR ou serologie positive ou scanner thoracique typique. Au total, 27 patients FMF (7,8 % des repondants ; sexe ratio 1/1) ont contracte le virus. Tous les 27 patients FMF-COVID+ sauf un prenaient de la colchicine quotidiennement depuis une periode mediane de 23 ans, la dose moyenne de colchicine etait de 1 mg/jour. Quatre recevaient en plus un inhibiteur de l’IL-1. Parmi les 27 patients FMF-COVID+, sept symptomatiques ont ete hospitalises (25 %) et six ont eu besoin d’oxygene ; trois (11 %) ont developpe un syndrome de detresse respiratoire aigue necessitant des soins intensifs pour une ventilation mecanique et une hemodialyse. Deux patients sont decedes (7 %) mais presentaient respectivement 3 et 4 comorbidites pour une infection grave par le SRAS-CoV2 ; le troisieme patient, âge de 40 ans, souffrait d’hypertension et d’obesite. Les patients âges de plus de 65 ans representaient 17 % de l’ensemble de la cohorte FMF-COVID + ; 75 % ont ete hospitalises et ont eu besoin d’oxygene ; l’un d’eux est decede. Trois patients FMF-COVID + avaient une amylose AA : 2 ont ete hospitalises et un est decede. Aucun traitement anti-viral supplementaire n’a ete administre. Les 5 survivants apres hospitalisation sont rentres chez eux. Aucun d’entre eux n’a presente de signes cliniques de crise de FMF lors de l’infection par le SRAS-CoV2. Discussion Le profil des patients FMF atteints d’une forme grave ou potentiellement mortelle par le SRAS-CoV2 etait le meme que celui de la population generale. Ainsi, seuls les patients FMF presentant des facteurs de risque connus (tels que âge avance, maladie renale chronique, hypertension, maladie vasculaire, obesite et dysfonctionnement pulmonaire) ont developpe une infection grave par le SARS-CoV2 [2] . Cette etude n’est pas en faveur d’un surrisque en soi de developper une infection severe a SRAS-CoV2 en presence d’une maladie autoinflammatoire monogenique touchant un inflammasome. Aucune conclusion formelle ne peut etre tiree sur l’effet preventif de la colchicinotherapie au long cours, bien que ce travail retrospectif porte sur une large cohorte de patients traites par colchicine depuis plusieurs annees. Il est difficile de conclure a l’efficacite du traitement par inhibiteur d’IL1 vis-a-vis l’infection par le SRAS-CoV-2 chez les patients FMF, mais 50 % des patients traites au long cours sont decedes mais avaient plusieurs comorbidites ; et des publications recentes semblent plaider en faveur de l’efficacite de l’anakinra dans l’infection grave par le SRAS-CoV-2 [3] . Conclusion La FMF ne semble pas constituer un facteur de risque de developper une forme severe d’infection par SARS-CoV2 chez les patients traites au long cours par de la colchicine quotidienne, par rapport a la population generale.

Background and objectiveFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent hereditary autoinflammatory disease. Its diagnosis relies on a set of clinical criteria and a genetic confirmation on identification of biallelic pathogenic MEFV variants. MEFV encodes pyrin, an inflammasome sensor. Using a kinase inhibitor, UCN-01, we recently identified that dephosphorylation of FMF-associated pyrin mutants leads to inflammasome activation. The aim of this study was to assess whether quantifying UCN-01-mediated inflammasome activation could discriminate FMF patients from healthy donors (HD) and from patients with other inflammatory disorders (OID).MethodsReal-time pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion were monitored in response to UCN-01 in monocytes from FMF patients (n=67), HD (n=71) and OID patients (n=40). Sensitivity and specificity of the resulting diagnostic tests were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.ResultsInflammasome monitoring in response to UCN-01 discriminates FMF patients from other individuals. Pyroptosis assessment leads to a fast FMF diagnosis while combining pyroptosis and IL-1β dosage renders UCN-01-based assays highly sensitive and specific. UCN-01-triggered monocytes responses were influenced by MEFV gene dosage and MEFV mutations in a similar way as clinical phenotypes are.ConclusionsUCN-01-based inflammasome assays could be used to rapidly diagnose FMF, with high sensitivity and specificity.

The novel COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for many deaths worldwide. Severe or life-threatening disease induce an exaggerated inflammatory response known as the ‘cytokine storm’, raising the question of the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients displaying innate immunity disorders such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Furthermore, FMF patients take a long-term therapy with colchicine, which has been tested in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with conflicting results.1 To tackle this question, we conducted a survey on SARS-CoV-2 infection in FMF patients followed in Paris area. In that meantime, the official French rate of infection in Paris area was 11% of the whole population.2 FMF patients were identified from the juvenile inflammatory rheumatism (JIR) cohort, an international multicenter data repository and consented to the study. For the purpose of the study, we included only patients fulfilling the international FMF criteria, with a genetic confirmed FMF diagnosis,3 and followed up in the French national autoinflammatory centre in Paris area. Identified patients (n=627) were invited to answer a short questionnaire in consultation by phone or email about a possible SARS-CoV-2 infection during the time span …

Objectives To assess long-term efficacy of tocilizumab in treatment-naive patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Methods Prospective open-labeled trial in naïve patients with TAK who received steroids at the dose of 0.7 mg/kg/day and 7 infusions of 8 mg/kg/month of tocilizumab. The primary endpoint was the number of patients who discontinued steroids after 7 infusions of tocilizumab. Secondary endpoints included disease activity and the number of relapses during 18-month follow-up. Results Thirteen patients with TAK were included, with a median age of 32 years [19–45] and 12 (92%) females. Six (54%) patients met the primary end-point. A significant decrease of disease activity was observed after 6 months of tocilizumab therapy: decrease of median NIH scale (3 [3, 4] at baseline, versus 1 [0–2] after 6 months; p p = 0.002), and ITAS-A score (7 [4–10] versus 4 [1–15]; p = 0.0001)]. During the 12-month follow-up after tocilizumab discontinuation, a relapse occurred among 5 patients (45%) out of 11 in which achieved remission after 6 months of tocilizumab. Conclusion Tocilizumab seems an effective steroid sparing therapy in TAK, but maintenance therapy is necessary. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02101333. Registered on 02 April 2014.

Introduction Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most frequent autoinflammatory disease, is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene. It is characterized by recurrent febrile attacks of polyserositis. Liver abnormalities may develop during its course, but they remain poorly defined. Objective To describe liver involvement in FMF patients. Methods A systematic search was conducted through PubMed/Medline and Embase from 1946 to January 2020. All articles describing children and adults with FMF and liver involvement were included. Patients with amyloidosis were excluded. The selected full-text articles were independently reviewed by three investigators. Results Forty-three articles were identified, of which 20 articles with a total of 99 patients were included: 74 adults, 23 children and two patients of unknown age. Ten patients had cryptogenic cirrhosis, 48 had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), four had Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), 12 had isolated hyperbilirubinaemia and 25 had elevated liver enzymes. Conclusion Despite a low prevalence of metabolic risk factors, FMF may be associated with NAFLD and cryptogenic cirrhosis as a consequence of chronic or recurrent inflammation. FMF patients should be regularly screened for liver injury. The latter may be prevented and treated by daily colchicine intake. The evidence was insufficient to establish an association with BCS, hyperbilirubinaemia or autoimmune hepatitis.

Objective The objective of this study was to describe large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is a retrospective single-center study conducted between 2000 and 2015 through a university hospital of 11 HIV-infected patients with LVV. Methods The characteristics and outcome of 11 HIV-infected patients with LVV (7 patients fulfilled international criteria for Takayasu arteritis, 5 patients had histologic findings of vasculitis, and 5 patients had imaging features of aortitis) were analyzed and compared with those of 82 patients with LVV but without HIV infection. Results Concerning the HIV-infected patients with LVV (n = 11), the mean age was 40 years (range, 36-56 years), and 55% of patients were female. At diagnosis of LLV, the mean initial CD4 cell count was 455 cells/mm 3 (range, 166-837 cells/mm 3 ), and the median HIV viral load was 9241 copies. Vascular lesions were located in the aorta (n = 7), in supra-aortic trunks (n = 7), and in digestive arteries (n = 3). Inflammatory aorta infiltrates showed a strong expression of interferon-γ and interleukin 6. In HIV-negative LVV patients (n = 82), the median age was 42 years, and 88% of the patients were women. Thirty patients had an inflammatory syndrome. Seventy patients had been treated with glucocorticosteroids and 57 with immunosuppressive treatments. Compared with their negative counterparts, HIV-positive patients with LVV were more frequently male ( P = .014), had more vascular complications (ie, Ishikawa score; P = .017), and had more frequent revascularization ( P = .047). After a mean follow-up of 96 months, four relapses of vasculitis were reported, and one patient died. Regardless of the HIV virologic response, antiretroviral therapy improved LVV in only one case. Conclusions LVV in HIV-infected patients is a rare and severe entity.

Resume La fievre mediterraneenne familiale (FMF) est la plus frequente des maladies auto-inflammatoires monogeniques. Il s’agit d’une maladie a transmission autosomique recessive qui touche principalement les populations issues du pourtour mediterraneen. Elle est associee a des mutations du gene MEFV (MEditerranean FEVer) qui code une proteine appelee marenostrine/pyrine qui lorsqu’elle est activee aboutit a la secretion par les cellules de la lignee myelo-monocytaire de cytokines pro-inflammatoires avec en premier lieu l’interleukine 1. Les principales manifestations sont des poussees inflammatoires des sereuses impliquant classiquement le peritoine, la plevre ou les articulations accompagnees typiquement de fievre et d’une elevation des marqueurs seriques d’inflammation. Les poussees cedent spontanement en 1 a 3 jours. Un traitement quotidien a vie par colchicine a la dose de 1 a 2 mg/j permet de reduire la frequence, la duree et l’intensite des poussees chez la majorite des patients et previent egalement l’apparition de l’amylose inflammatoire, la complication la plus grave de cette maladie. Cette mise au point aborde les aspects diagnostiques, therapeutiques actuels de la FMF et ses diagnostics differentiels incluant les nouvelles formes dominantes associees aux mutations de MEFV.

Objectives Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a life-threatening disease characterized by multiple small-vessel occlusions of rapid onset. Ischemic pancreatic duct lesions secondary to CAPS have never been reported. Methods We describe 4 patients who presented lesions suspected to be intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas following a CAPS. Results All patients had a history of CAPS months or years before the IPMN diagnosis. They had abdominal pain or abnormal liver test results and had undergone radiography. In a 36-year-old man, endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated parietal thickening, stenoses and dilatations of the main pancreatic duct, which suggested IPMN. A pancreatic resection was performed because of presumed risk of malignancy. Histology revealed pancreatitis and thrombosis of small pancreatic vessels but no IPMN. The 3 other cases had lesions consistent with IPMN disclosed on MRI. From the first case experience, regular radiography surveillance was decided for the 3 other patients. After more than 4 years of follow-up, lesions remained unchanged. Conclusion Physicians must be aware that these lesions may be encountered in CAPS and may closely mimic IPMN, with subsequent risk of performing unnecessary pancreatectomy.

Objective Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)–associated herpesvirus, is involved in KS and other tumors, including multicentric Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphoma. Rituximab (RTX) is currently used for the treatment of several autoimmune or inflammatory diseases and humoral organ transplant rejection. De novo HHV-8 tumors induced by RTX used for these indications have not been reported previously. This study was undertaken to evaluate de novo HHV-8 tumors induced by RTX. Methods In this retrospective study, we investigated the clinical, virologic, and pathologic features of 5 HIV-negative male patients with HHV-8 tumors induced by RTX therapy. Results Patients were all immunocompromised by previous treatments, which consisted of steroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, and received RTX for insufficient response, disease progression, or transplant rejection. They developed HHV-8 tumors a median of 4 months after beginning treatment with RTX (range 3–13 months). Four patients had at least 1 risk factor for HHV-8, including a high Fitzpatrick skin phototype (of >3) (n = 3) and homosexuality (n = 1). Four patients developed KS (all 4 had skin lesions and 2 had visceral involvement), and 1 patient developed a solid primary effusion lymphoma. RTX was discontinued in all patients, and immunosuppressants were reduced when feasible. After a median follow-up of 20 months, 2 patients died. Remission of KS was complete in 1 patient and partial in 1 patient, and 1 patient had progression. Conclusion Our findings indicate that patients who have a high skin phototype and are at risk of HHV-8 should be carefully screened for HHV-8 before RTX therapy. The safety of RTX, especially in nonlymphomatous disorders, should be carefully evaluated in patients at risk of HHV-8 tumors.

International audience; The spectrum of factors known to mediate autoinflammation has broadened recently to include not only interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon, but also abnormalities that impair NF-κB pathway negative regulation. The NF-κB pathway is activated upon contact of a ligand with tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and plays a pivotal role in triggering the inflammatory process by producing major cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. Negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway, which is essential to stop the inflammatory process, depends on the level of ubiquitination of the proteins associated with TNFR1 and of other intermediate compounds. A20 and otulin are proteins that influence the level of ubiquitination, and a deficiency in either can result in NF-κB activation with overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Similar to Behçet's disease, A20 haploinsufficiency manifests as oral and genital ulcers and, more rarely, as uveitis. However, transmission is dominant, symptom onset occurs at a younger age, and severe gastrointestinal involvement is at the forefront of the clinical picture. Clinical presentations are extremely diverse. Over their lifetime, affected patients simultaneously or sequentially experience autoinflammatory and autoimmune manifestations. Mild immune deficiency predominantly affecting humoral responses is less common. Otulin deficiency results in systemic inflammatory manifestations at a very young age, with panniculitis, lipodystrophy, and inflammatory bowel disease. The main differential diagnosis is proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndrome. The treatment of A20 haploinsufficiency and otulin deficiency is challenging and remains unstandardized. The symptoms respond to high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. TNF antagonists and IL-1 antagonists have shown some measure of efficacy.

International audience; Systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) are defined as disorders of innate immunity. They were initially defined in opposition to autoimmune diseases due to the lack of involvement of the adaptive immune system and circulating autoantibodies. The four historical monogenic diseases are familial Mediterranean fever (associated with MEFV mutations), cryopyrinopathies (NLRP3 mutations), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TNFRSF1A mutations), and mevalonate kinase deficiency (MVK mutations). In the last 10 years, more than 50 new monogenic SAIDs have been discovered thanks to advances in genetics. Diagnosis is largely based on personal and family history and detailed analysis of signs and symptoms associated with febrile attacks, in the setting of elevated inflammatory markers. Increasingly efficient techniques of genetic analysis can contribute to refining the diagnosis. This review is a guide for the clinician in suspecting and establishing a diagnosis of SAID.; Systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) are defined as disorders of innate immunity. They were initially defined in opposition to autoimmune diseases due to the lack of involvement of the adaptive immune system and circulating autoantibodies. The four historical monogenic diseases are familial Mediterranean fever (associated with MEFV mutations), cryopyrinopathies (NLRP3 mutations), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TNFRSF1A mutations), and mevalonate kinase deficiency (MVK mutations). In the last 10 years, more than 50 new monogenic SAIDs have been discovered thanks to advances in genetics. Diagnosis is largely based on personal and family history and detailed analysis of signs and symptoms associated with febrile attacks, in the setting of elevated inflammatory markers. Increasingly efficient techniques of genetic analysis can contribute to refining the diagnosis. This review is a guide for the clinician in suspecting and establishing a diagnosis of SAID.

International audience; Sarcoidosis is associated with cell-mediated immunodeficiency and treatment of symptomatic sarcoidosis usually includes systemic immunosuppressants. Data relative to incidence, prognosis factors, and outcome of infections are scarce.Retrospective cohort study of 585 patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis in a tertiary referral specialist clinic, with a nested case-control analysis. Twenty nine patients (4.9%) with severe infections were compared to 116 controls subjects with sarcoidosis, matched according to their gender, ethnicity, age at diagnosis, and treatment with corticosteroids.After a median follow-up of 8 years [range; 1–46], 38 severe infections [mycobacterial infections (n = 14), fungal infections (n = 10), bacterial (n = 8), viral (n = 3) and parasitic (n = 1)] were observed in 30 patients. The incidence of severe infections was 0.71% persons-year (CI 95% 0.5–0.98) and 0.43% persons-year (CI 95% 0.27–0.66). Patients with severe infection were more frequently of male gender (60% vs 46%) and were more likely treated by ≥ 3 immunosuppressive agents (OR = 3.8, IC 95% [1.5–9.64], P = .005) and by cyclophosphamide (OR = 5.55, IC 95% [1.9–16.1], P = .002), and with neurological (OR = 3.36 CI 95% [1.37–8.25], P = .008), or cardiac (OR = 2.65 CI 95% [1.09–6.43], P = .031) involvement of the sarcoidosis, compared to the controls. Two patients died within the 6 months following infection, due to progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (n = 1), and of peritonitis (n = 1).Severe infections are observed in 5.1% of our patients with sarcoidosis after a median follow-up of 8 years. Risk factors for severe infections included neurological or cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis, the use of immunosuppressive agents and mainly cyclophosphamide.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anakinra for severe and refractory scleritis.Methods: Ten patients with severe (i.e. at least 2 ocular relapses per year despite treatment) and refractory [i.e. at least to one disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS)] scleritis were treated with anakinra (100 mg/day subcutaneously). Scleritis was associated with inflammatory systemic diseases in 60% of cases. The remission rate defined the primary outcome.Results: Ninety percent of patients were complete responders with a mean follow-up of 19.4 months after starting anakinra. The corticosteroids daily dose decreased from 18.3 ± 4.1 mg to 4.2 ± 4.9 mg, (p < 0.05), at initiation of anakinra and at end of follow-up, respectively. Associated immunosuppressants were stopped in all cases except one. Side effects were observed in 4 patients who did not need anakinra withdrawal.Conclusions: This pilot study suggests the efficacy of anakinra in patients with refractory scleritis.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (Cryovas) is a small vessel vasculitis involving mainly the skin, the joints, the peripheral nerve system, and the kidneys, mainly due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Interferon alpha–based therapy has long been the cornerstone of HCV-Cryovas treatment. In the early 2010s, use of pegylated-interferon/ribavirin and a direct antiviral agent (DAA, boceprevir or telaprevir) led to improved rates of sustained virological response and Cryovas remission, which were limited by frequent side effects. Recently, all oral, interferon-free, DAA regimens led to very high rates of Cryovas clinical remission and few toxicities. In daily practice, HCV-Cryovas patients with mild to moderate disease should be given an optimal all oral, interferon-free, DAA regimen. For patients with severe vasculitis control of disease with rituximab, with or without plasmapheresis, is required while starting optimal antiviral therapy. Other immunosuppressants should be given only in case of refractory forms of HCV-Cryovas.

International audience; ObjectiveTo describe the features of exceptional coexisting Takayasu arteritis (TA) and sarcoidosis, two conditions of unknown cause associated with a common immunologic pattern.MethodsWe report seven cases of concomitant sarcoidosis-Takayasu or Takayasu-like vasculitis, observed in two referral centers between 1995 and 2015.ResultsAll patients were female. The mean age at sarcoidosis diagnosis and TA diagnosis was 36 and 37 years, respectively. Sarcoidosis occurred in 86% of cases before or together with TA. Sarcoidosis always had a classic expression except for one renal localization. Sarcoidosis was not severe and mostly non-treated (86%). In all cases of TA, supra-aortic arteries were involved; in only two TA cases a more diffuse inflammatory arterial involvement was noted. In one case, Takayasu arteritis occurred despite immunosuppressive therapy given for sarcoidosis. All patients received for TA a treatment with corticosteroids associated with methotrexate (four cases), infliximab (one case) or tocilizumab (one case). After a mean follow-up of 89 months, TA always improved and no death was observed.ConclusionsTA stands as pathology associated with sarcoidosis. TA occurred in three cases among 50. When sarcoidosis preceded TA, a recovery of sarcoidosis was achieved mostly without treatment. TA is a prognostic and therapeutic factor. Immunosuppressive treatment, including steroids, led to a good prognosis for TA as well as for sarcoidosis.

International audience; During hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection, extrahepatic manifestations are frequent and polymorphous. This article reports on a large cohort of patients with HCV-related autoimmune or lymphoproliferative disorders, from mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis to frank lymphomas. The relationship between HCV infection and such immune-related diseases has been formally demonstrated by epidemiological, clinical, immunological and pathological data, and results of therapeutic trials. More recently, other nonliver-related HCV disorders have been reported, including cardiovascular (i.e. stroke, ischemic heart disease), renal, metabolic and central nervous system diseases. For these manifestations, most evidence comes from large epidemiological studies; there is a need for mechanistic studies and therapeutic trials for confirmation. Beyond the risk of developing liver complications, that is, cirrhosis and liver cancer, patients with HCV infection have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to nonliver diseases. HCV chronic infection should be analyzed as a systemic disease in which extrahepatic consequences increase the weight of its pathological burden. The need for effective viral eradication measures is underlined.

RATIONALE Vemurafenib, an inhibitor of mutated B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma, is frequently used in the treatment of melanoma and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) patients. Inflammatory adverse effects have been increasingly reported after vemurafenib treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSE We report 6 cases of vemurafenib-associated vasculitis, of whom a personal case of a 75-year-old man with history of ECD who developed purpura and rapidly progressive pauci-immune glomerulonephritis during treatment with vemurafenib. INTERVENTION In the 5 others cases from the literature, all patients presented skin vasculitis, and with joint involvement in 60% of them. Vemurafenib treatment was stopped (n = 3), continued at reduced doses (n = 1), or continued at the same dose (n = 2). OUTCOMES Three patients (50%) received corticosteroids combined with cyclophosphamide (n = 1), and all achieved remission of vasculitis. One patient experienced vasculitis relapse after vemurafenib therapy was restarted. LESSONS Systemic vasculitis is a rare vemurafenib-associated adverse event that may be life-threatening.