Serious infections and tuberculosis adversely impact outcomes of juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus in India.

Background: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We assessed the incidence and risk factors for major infections in juvenile SLE.

Methods: A retrospective review of 225 patients of juvenile SLE (ACR 1997 criteria) with age <18 years visiting the rheumatology clinic at a single centre between 2000 to 2020 was done from case records and the hospital electronic health records.

Semaphorins and its receptors: Emerging cellular biomarkers and therapeutic targets in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Semaphorins have been discovered to play an array of roles in immune regulation, especially in the complex field of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Originally discovered for their critical role in directing axon growth during brain development, semaphores have since been shown to have versatile actions. They are distinguished by a conserved extracellular sema domain with a 7-blade beta propeller structure.

Serum p-Glycoprotein and Monomeric C-Reactive Protein are Elevated in Takayasu Arteritis.

Purpose: Existing biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP) do not adequately distinguish active and inactive TAK. We compared serum p-glycoprotein (p-gp)/Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (MDR1), monomeric CRP (mCRP), CRP, and mCRP:CRP ratio in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and healthy controls and their relationship with disease activity.

Patients And Methods: Serum p-gp mCRP (ELISA) and CRP (nephelometry) were compared between consecutive adults with TAK (>18 years) enrolled from a prospective cohort (n = 92) and healthy controls (n = 29), and between active vs inactive TAK (n = 46 each).

Frailty and rheumatic diseases: evidence to date and lessons learned.

Frailty represents a dynamic multisystem state of reduced physiological reserve that increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. Frailty occurs prematurely in adults with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and is emerging as an important risk factor for adverse outcomes in these conditions. In this Series paper, we present a conceptual overview of frailty and its prevalence among patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases.