The clinical differences between early-and late-onset pulmonary hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) is a rare but possible fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). We try to better understand the clinical symptoms and prognosis in patients with SLE and PH. Furthermore, we want to know whether there is different between early-onset and late-onset pulmonary hemorrhage in SLE patients.

Septic arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: salmonella and nonsalmonella infections compared.

Objectives: To assess the clinical characteristics and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with septic arthritis.

Methods: In this 20-year retrospective study, we reviewed the charts of SLE patients with septic arthritis confirmed by synovial fluid analysis and culture. To identify risk factors for septic arthritis, data of SLE patients with septic arthritis were compared with data of 100 hospitalized SLE patients without septic arthritis.

Etanercept therapy in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Etanercept is an effective inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor that has shown a beneficial effect in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) that did not respond to other disease-modifying drugs. Here we report 3 patients with JRA who were refractory to traditional therapy; 1 with systemic JRA and 2 with polyarticular JRA. They received etanercept 0.

Central nervous system infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical profiles of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with central nervous system (CNS) infections.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed patients with SLE with CNS infections from January 1983 to June 2003. The clinical features, laboratory data, and prognoses of these patients were recorded.

Pulse methylprednisolone therapy in the treatment of immune globulin-resistant Kawasaki disease: case report and review of the literature.

A subgroup of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) did not respond to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy. Corticosteroid therapy remains a controversial alternative in such cases. We report two young children with KD who failed to respond to three courses of IVIG therapy and subsequently received pulse methylprednisolone as an alternative.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis associated with afebrile convulsion in children: clinical analysis of 40 cases.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of hospitalized children with afebrile seizures following rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study enrolling patients under 18 years old who were admitted to our hospital during a 10-year period with the diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis. We identified and further analyzed patients who presented with afebrile seizures, without previous seizure disorders, electrolyte imbalances or hypoglycemia.