Serum antinuclear antibodies in women with silicone breast implants.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that immunologic abnormalities are not uncommon in individuals with silicone breast implants. The purpose of our study was to evaluate in a consecutive manner, the prevalence of autoimmunity as assessed by the presence of antinuclear antibodies in a larger number of patients with silicone breast implants.

Methods: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing using an indirect immunofluorescence technique was performed on 813 individuals with silicone breast implants.

Immunodeficiency states and associated rheumatic manifestations.

For immunodeficiency states, the past year has been marked with the discovery of a series of events at the gene level and cell-to-cell interaction, particularly in common variable immunodeficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency, IgA deficiency, and immunodeficiency associated with IgM hyperimmunoglobulinemia. Clinical expression, especially in the musculoskeletal system, as well as infectious complications and therapy, also have been reported.

Prohormone convertases PC2 and PC3 in rat neutrophils and macrophages. Parallel changes with proenkephalin-derived peptides induced by LPS in vivo.

Prohormone- or proneuropeptide-converting enzymes PC2 and PC3 have been observed exclusively in nervous and endocrine tissues. In this work the presence of these enzymes in cells of the immune system was demonstrated. PC2 was detected in peripheral and liver-infiltrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) but not in alveolar macrophages (AM) or spleen mononuclear cells (SMC).

Eosinophilic hepatitis: a new feature of the clinical spectrum of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan-containing products is highlighted by eosinophilia, incapacitating myalgias, and diverse multisystemic manifestations. In addition to involvement of the skin, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerves, visceral damage has been quite prominent, particularly affecting the lungs, the heart, and the liver. Hepatic involvement has been manifested by altered liver tests but is clinically silent.

Fibroblast function in psoriatic arthritis. II. Increased expression of beta platelet derived growth factor receptors and increased production of growth factor and cytokines.

Objective: The main objective was to investigate the expression of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors, and production of growth factors and cytokines from psoriatic skin and synovium derived fibroblasts.

Methods: Fibroblast cultures were established from normal and psoriatic skin and synovium. Confluent cultures of fibroblasts were used for a receptor binding assay for PDGF, and then extracts were run on Western blot.

Fibroblast function in psoriatic arthritis. I. Alteration of cell kinetics and growth factor responses.

Objective: To explore the potential role of fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its related arthritis. Specifically, we analyzed the cell cycle of psoriatic fibroblasts obtained from skin and synovium by flow cytometry, and we also studied their response to several growth factors.

Methods: Fibroblast cultures were established from normal and psoriatic skin, uninvolved and involved, and synovium.

Scurvy resembling cutaneous vasculitis.

Various conditions can imitate cutaneous vasculitis. Scurvy is a less appreciated cause of rash that can resemble vasculitis. Three patients were referred to our rheumatology service for "vasculitis," who subsequently were found to have scurvy.

Clinical findings in symptomatic women with silicone breast implants.

We report the clinical findings in a series of women with silicone breast implants (SBI) and rheumatic disease. These findings represent the first 50 patients seen at the University of South Florida Medical Clinic between March 1977 and January 1991. The average age was 44 years with a range of 30 to 66 years.

Recent developments in psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis affects 5% to 7% of patients with psoriasis. Genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors play a role in its pathogenesis. The role of inflammatory cytokines has been better defined, and recent immunohistochemical studies of the synovial membranes have shown important differences and similarities between psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Hyperprolactinemia in Reiter's syndrome.

Objective: Accumulated evidence suggests that certain immunoregulatory hormones including prolactin (PRL) may play a role in the pathogenesis and disease expression of certain autoimmune diseases. Our objective was to investigate the possible role of PRL in the pathogenesis and disease expression of the spondyloarthropathies, including Reiter's syndrome (RS).

Methods: Basal levels of PRL (serum) were determined by radioimmunoassay in patients with various types of spondyloarthropathies, patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU), and healthy controls.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in systemic lupus erythematosus with intestinal vasculitis: treatment with high dose prednisone.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is an uncommon disorder usually associated with intestinal and pulmonary obstructive diseases, recent abdominal procedures and systemic illnesses. PCI has been reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus associated with intestinal vasculitis. We describe herein a patient with a month history of intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhoea, hyporexia, and weight loss who underwent intestinal resection for acute abdomen.

Treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

The treatment of psoriatic arthritis has acquired relevance in the past few years because of advances and better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the disease, and also because of recognition that this disorder is not a benign disease as was previously thought. The general principles of management for any inflammatory arthritis, including pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitative treatment, are to be used, with concomitant therapeutic management of skin involvement. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs constitute the mainstay of pharmacological therapy for most patients, with a good clinical response observed in 75-85%.

[Prolactin, a link between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases].

Increasing evidence suggest that prolactin (PRL) has important immunoregulatory properties and may play a role in the pathogenesis and disease expression of certain autoimmune diseases. Prolactin is co-mitogenic on murine and human lymphocytes, induces the formation of IL-2 cell surface receptor and modulates the expression of various growth factor related genes. Prolactin also stimulates antibody production both in vivo and in vitro.

Digital vasculitis following allergic desensitization treatment.

Systemic necrotizing vasculitis or a polyarteritis nodosa-like clinical presentation, is an unusual complication of immunotherapy (hyposensitization therapy). We describe a patient who developed features of vasculitis several years after beginning hyposensitization treatment for allergic rhinitis. In the 7 months preceding the onset of the vasculitis he experienced 4 episodes of anaphylaxis immediately after receiving desensitization injections.

Candida arthritis.

Septic arthritis can be caused by Candida species. Its true incidence is unknown because only a few cases have been reported. Two clinical syndromes have been identified.

Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is now recognized as the most prevalent veneral disease in the Western World. The majority of cases of Reiter's syndrome, one type of reactive arthritis, are secondary to sexually transmitted infections. Evidence of urogenital C.