Diagnosis, management, and outcome of cardiac sarcoidosis and giant cell myocarditis: a Swedish single center experience.

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and giant cell myocarditis (GCM) are rare diseases that share some similarities, but also display different clinical and histopathological features. We aimed to compare the demographics, clinical presentation, and outcome of patients diagnosed with CS or GCM.

Method: We compared the clinical data and outcome of all adult patients with CS (n = 71) or GCM (n = 21) diagnosed at our center between 1991 and 2020.

Complement Consumption in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Leads to Decreased Opsonophagocytosis .

Objective: Infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The high prevalence of infections in SLE is attributed to both the disease and its treatments. The complement system plays an important role in host immune responses against invading microorganisms.

Infections with the tick-borne bacterium "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" mimic noninfectious conditions in patients with B cell malignancies or autoimmune diseases.

Background: Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a newly discovered noncultivatable bacterium spread among ticks and rodents in Europe and Asia that can infect humans, particularly immunocompromised patients.

Methods: We compiled clinical and laboratory data from 11 patients with hematological malignances or autoimmune diseases who were diagnosed with Candidatus N. mikurensis infection in Europe 2010-2013.

Endothelin-1 across the lung circulation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and influence of epoprostenol infusion.

Background: The endothelin-1 (ET-1) system plays a pathophysiologic role in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Results from previous studies assessing the transpulmonary gradient of ET-1 have been inconsistent. The influence of an intravenous epoprostenol infusion on the transpulmonary ET-1 gradient is unknown.

Microbial superantigens as virulence factors and ways to counteract their actions.

Microbial superantigens represent a group of molecules that is able to cause massive activation of the host immune system. Human diseases originating from superantigen-secreting bacterial agents are characterized by shock, which continues to pose major health problems. Presently, the treatment of superantigen-mediated infections is limited to the administration of antibiotics and handling of the state of shock.

Current status of pathogenetic mechanisms in staphylococcal arthritis.

Interactions between staphylococci and the joint tissues of the host lead typically to rapidly progressing and highly destructive processes. Staphylococci possess a vast arsenal of components and products that contribute to the pathogenesis of joint infection. Occasionally these compounds have overlapping activities and act either in concert or alone.

Combined antibiotic and free radical trap treatment is effective at combating Staphylococcus-aureus-induced septic arthritis.

Although early antibiotic treatment of patients with septic arthritis eradicates bacteria, joint destruction commonly results from the unregulated host inflammatory responses to infection. The spin trap compound phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of combined systemic administration of PBN and cloxacillin on the development of Staphylococcus aureus arthritis.

Low molecular weight heparin aggravates infectious arthritis triggered by Staphylococcus aureus.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for the majority of wound infections in clean surgical procedures that involve implantation of foreign material, grafts or prosthetic devices. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of low molecular weight heparin on the development and progression of S. aureus arthritis.