Toxoplasmosis in patients with an autoimmune disease and immunosuppressive agents: A multicenter study and literature review.

Background: Cases of Toxoplasma reactivation or more severe primary infection have been reported in patients receiving immunosuppressive (IS) treatment for autoimmune diseases (AID). The purpose of this study was to describe features of toxoplasmosis occurring in patients with AID treated by IS therapy, excluded HIV-positive and transplant patients.

Methods: A multicenter descriptive study was conducted using data from the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (NRCT) that received DNA extracts or strains isolated from patients, associated with clinical data.

MRI and ultrasonography for detection of early interphalangeal osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To assess the interest of MRI and ultrasonography (US) in identifying early and advanced interphalangeal (IP) OA.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with symptomatic hand OA (n=33) and young healthy volunteers (n=26). Proximal and distal IP joints were graded according to Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grades.