Changing rate of serious infections in biologic-exposed rheumatoid arthritis patients. Data from South American registries BIOBADABRASIL and BIOBADASAR.

Objective: Most reports on serious infections (SI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are from the USA and Western Europe. Data from other regions are largely missing. We report data from South American countries with different backgrounds and health-care systems but similar registries.

[Bacterial endocarditis caused by salmonella in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Introduction: Patients with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) are prompt to develop infections with significant morbidity and mortality. The intravascular infection due to salmonella is a rare complication of difficult diagnosis and poor prognostic.

Objective: We report two cases of bacterial endocarditis due to salmonella in SLE patients.

[Ventricular diastolic dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlabelled: Rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) is a chronic and systemic articular inflammatory disease, often associated with cardiac manifestations. However, cardiac involvement in RA is not always symptomatic. Previous studies reported high mortality rates for RA and that it was dependent on concurrent heart dis-ease.

[Security of the combined treatment of methotrexate and leflunomide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlabelled: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease leading to functional impairment and early mortality. Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have shown to achieve disease remission and improves its evolution. The use of combined therapy should have a biological efficacy, no increased toxicity and have an acceptable dose interval.