Exploring the link between inflammatory myopathies and cancer: A comprehensive retrospective analysis in a Colombian cohort.

Background: This study investigates the association between inflammatory myopathies (IM), and their correlation with cancer. There are several potential causes behind the association of cancer and inflammatory myopathies. The positivity of specific antibodies for myositis plays a significant role.

Diagnostic Performance of Anti-dsDNA Tests by Indirect Immunofluorescence and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Several laboratory techniques for anti double-stranded (ds) DNA detection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are available, with variable diagnostic performance. We aimed to evaluate anti-dsDNA's diagnostic performance by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA).

Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective (2015 to 2020) study.

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors' expression in pediatric nephrotic syndrome is associated with worse prognosis.

Aim: Immune pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome (NS) is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate the expression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors in renal samples from pediatric NS patients and its relationship with renal function survival.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an ambispective study on 33 patients with pediatric NS.

Profile of specific and associated autoantibodies in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in a Colombian population.

Objectives: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are chronic, autoimmune diseases with several forms of presentation. Diagnosis is mostly clinical in our region. Our aim was to evaluate the autoantibody profile of patients with IIMs.

From ocular immune privilege to primary autoimmune diseases of the eye.

After the discovery of ocular immune privilege, exhaustive research has been performed, and advances have been made in the field of ocular immunology. Currently, it is clear that local and systemic pathways are involved in maintaining a well-preserved environment to guarantee normal vision. The development of autoimmunity in the eye is still a subject of research; however, it has been suggested that microglial cells could act as a gateway for initiating autoimmunity.

Increase in direct costs for health systems due to lupus nephritis: the case of Colombia.

Objective: Lupus nephritis is one of the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus and it has been estimated that can occur in up to 60% of patients. Direct costs of lupus nephritis have not been studied in developing countries. This study aimed to describe lupus nephritis direct costs in Colombia.

Systemic erythematosus lupus and pregnancy outcomes in a Colombian cohort.

Objective: Pregnant women with SLE have higher probabilities of maternal complications. SLE during pregnancy has alternating patterns of remission and flare-ups; however, most pregnant SLE patients tend to worsen with associated poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to describe obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with SLE.

Description of the Etiologies, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes in Patients with Hyperferritinemia in a Colombian Tertiary Hospital.

Background: This study analyzes the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and conditions associated with hyperferritinemia (≥5000 ng/mL) in a high-complexity center in Colombia.

Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study was performed between 2011 and 2020, at the Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia, by reviewing medical charts from patients who had serum ferritin measurements equal to or greater than 5000 ng/mL.

Results: We found 350 reports of ferritin values ≥5000 ng/mL, corresponding to 317 patients, with a median ferritin value of 8789 (6001-15 373)  ng/mL.

Association of Antiribosomal P Antibody with Neurological and Systemic Manifestations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Southwestern Colombia.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous pathogenesis, various clinical manifestations, and a broad spectrum of autoantibodies which recognize different cellular components. This study examines the clinical significance and serological associations of serum antiribosomal P antibodies (anti-P) derived from SLE patients in a population from southwestern Colombia.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 66 SLE patients.

Reproducibility of minor salivary gland biopsy reports in Sjögren's syndrome and its correlation with disease biomarkers.

Introduction/objective: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is challenging to diagnose. Although minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is a useful ancillary study, different factors make its interpretation difficult. Also, the significance of distinct histopathological findings is unknown.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange as a Treatment for Autoimmune Neurological Disease.

Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is commonly used as treatment of certain autoimmune neurological diseases (ANDs), and its main objective is the removal of pathogenic autoantibodies. Our aim was to describe the clinical profile and the experience with the usage of TPE in patients with ANDs at our institution.

Methods: This is an observational retrospective study, including medical records of patients with diagnosis of ANDs who received TPE, between 2011 and 2018.

Expression of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptor genes in lupus nephritis and potential use as urinary biomarkers.

Background: B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and their receptors BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI are crucial factors for the survival of B lymphocytes. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the importance of BAFF/APRIL signaling in lupus nephritis (LN). This study evaluated the relationships between LN clinical characteristics and the urinary expression levels of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptors to assess their potential value as disease biomarkers.

Prevalence of anti-DFS70 autoantibodies in a Latin American cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and without autoimmune diseases.

Introduction/objectives: Anti-dense fine speckled 70 (DFS70) autoantibodies were reported to be more prevalent in healthy individuals than those with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We determined anti-DFS70 autoantibody prevalence in a Latin American cohort of patients with SLE and healthy individuals.

Methods: This study included 127 individuals with anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs; > 1:160) suggesting the presence of anti-DFS70, including 64 patients with SLE and 63 healthy controls.

Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience with 63 patients.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is prepared using purified human plasma. IVIG therapy has immunomodulatory effects on autoimmune diseases, including severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, reports of its effects on large cohorts are scarce.

Direct cost of lupus care in the developing world: the case of Colombia.

Background: Lupus is a chronic autoimmune and incurable rheumatic disease and has a global prevalence of 3.2-517.5 cases per 100,000 people.

Correction to: Mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: a case series.

The presentation of data on the Table 3 of the published version of the above mentioned article was incorrect. The heading "Bacterial infections" should be presented under the heading "Infections". The original article has been corrected.

Mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: a case series.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with high mortality rates. This study aimed to describe the main causes of death in a case series of SLE patients attended in a single center in Colombia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review and analysis of records of SLE patients who died between January 2011 and June 2017.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange as Management of Complicated Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Other Autoimmune Diseases.

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases include a diverse and complex group of pathologies with a broad clinical spectrum due to the production of autoantibodies, which generates multisystemic compromise. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a good additive treatment for immunosuppression due to its action over the autoantibodies.

Objectives: To describe the main clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other systemic autoimmune diseases managed with TPE.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia: A new autoimmune entity?

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a rare type of cicatricial alopecic band, with bilateral and symmetric progressive regression of the frontotemporal hairline. The specific mechanisms of development of FFA remain unknown. Due to several clues, including the presence of lymphocytic infiltrates and the association of FFA with other autoimmune disorders, we hypothesised that FFA may be a new autoimmune condition, and future research must be focused on this possible origin.