ERN ReCONNET points to consider for treating patients living with autoimmune rheumatic diseases with antiviral therapies and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody products.

Recent studies have shown that people who are immunocompromised may inadvertently play a role in spurring the mutations of the virus that create new variants. This is because some immunocompromised individuals remain at risk of getting COVID-19 despite vaccination, experience more severe disease, are susceptible to being chronically infected and remain contagious for longer if they become infected and considering that immunocompromised individuals represent approximately 2% of the overall population, this aspect should be carefully considered. So far, some autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) patients with COVID-19 have been treated with antiviral therapies or anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody products.

The added value of a European Reference Network on rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases: insights after the first 5 years of the ERN ReCONNET.

In order to address the main challenges related to the rare diseases (RDs) the European Commission launched the European Reference Networks (ERNs), virtual networks involving healthcare providers (HCPs) across Europe. The mission of the ERNs is to tackle low prevalence and RDs that require highly specialised treatment and a concentration of knowledge and resources. In fact, ERNs offer the potential to give patients and healthcare professionals across the EU access to the best expertise and timely exchange of lifesaving knowledge, trying to make the knowledge travelling more than patients.

Switching From Reference Adalimumab to SB5 (Adalimumab Biosimilar) in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Fifty-Two-Week Phase III Randomized Study Results.

Objective: The 24-week equivalent efficacy and comparable safety results of the biosimilar SB5 and reference adalimumab (ADA) from the phase III randomized study in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been reported previously. We undertook this transition study to evaluate patients who switched from ADA to SB5 or who continued to receive SB5 or ADA up to 52 weeks.

Methods: In this phase III study, patients were initially randomized 1:1 to receive SB5 or ADA (40 mg subcutaneously every other week).

Phase III Randomized Study of SB5, an Adalimumab Biosimilar, Versus Reference Adalimumab in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: SB5 is a biosimilar agent for adalimumab (ADA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and immunogenicity of SB5 in comparison with reference ADA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: In this phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, patients with moderately to severely active RA despite treatment with methotrexate were randomized 1:1 to receive SB5 or reference ADA at a dosage of 40 mg subcutaneously every other week.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of 35 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis followed up at two rheumatology centers in Lithuania.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of Lithuanian patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, who were followed up at two tertiary rheumatology centers, and to find the factors possibly influencing the outcomes of this disease.

Material And Methods: Thirty-five patients were followed up prospectively from the onset of disease (the first patient was enrolled in 1994) at Vilnius University Hospital and the Center of Rheumatology of Kaunas University of Medicine (17 and 18 patients, respectively). All patients in both the centers were followed up on a routine basis, and their records contained necessary information about laboratory and biopsy data; the censoring date (end of follow-up) was stated in June 2006.

Causes and risk factors for death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database.

Objectives: To determine the causes and predictors of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Patients with SSc (n=5860) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria and prospectively followed in the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort were analysed. EUSTAR centres completed a structured questionnaire on cause of death and comorbidities.

Characteristics of joint involvement and relationships with systemic inflammation in systemic sclerosis: results from the EULAR Scleroderma Trial and Research Group (EUSTAR) database.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of and independent factors associated with joint involvement in a large population of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: This study was cross-sectional, based on data collected on patients included in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry. We queried this database to extract data regarding global evaluation of patients with SSc and the presence of any clinical articular involvement: synovitis (tender and swollen joints), tendon friction rubs (rubbing sensation detected as the tendon was moved), and joint contracture (stiffness of the joints that decreased their range of motion).

Severe vancomycin-induced anaphylactic reaction.

Vancomycin is widely used against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, but it is associated with many adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, gastrointestinal disturbances, blood disorders, and two types of hypersensitivity reactions - an anaphylactoid reaction known as "red man syndrome" and anaphylaxis. We report a case of a 23-year-old man who developed a vancomycin-induced anaphylactic reaction in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Transcription factor fos-related antigen-2 induces progressive peripheral vasculopathy in mice closely resembling human systemic sclerosis.

Background: Microvascular damage is one of the first pathological changes in systemic sclerosis. In this study, we investigated the role of Fos-related antigen-2 (Fra-2), a transcription factor of the activator protein-1 family, in the peripheral vasculopathy of systemic sclerosis and examined the underlying mechanisms.

Methods And Results: Expression of Fra-2 protein was significantly increased in skin biopsies of systemic sclerosis patients compared with healthy controls, especially in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells.

Histone deacetylase 7, a potential target for the antifibrotic treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Objective: We have recently shown a significant reduction in cytokine-induced transcription of type I collagen and fibronectin in systemic sclerosis (SSc) skin fibroblasts upon treatment with trichostatin A (TSA). Moreover, in a mouse model of fibrosis, TSA prevented the dermal accumulation of extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to analyze the silencing of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC-7) as a possible mechanism by which TSA exerts its antifibrotic function.

EULAR/EFORT recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee.

Objectives: The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) have recognised the importance of variation in diagnostic and therapeutic performance across disciplines, have found consensus in starting task forces aiming at achieving diagnostic and therapeutic uniformity, and have identified medical conditions with which representatives of both organisations will frequently be confronted in common clinical practice. The aim of the present work was to establish recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of patients presenting with acute or recent onset swelling of the knee.

Methods: The EULAR standard operating procedures for the elaboration and implementation of evidence-based recommendations were followed.

Rho-associated kinases are crucial for myofibroblast differentiation and production of extracellular matrix in scleroderma fibroblasts.

Objective: Rho-associated kinases (Rock) are the major cellular mediators of Rho GTPases and play an important role in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Inhibitors of Rock are currently being evaluated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study was undertaken to analyze the role of Rock in the activation of fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Src kinases in systemic sclerosis: central roles in fibroblast activation and in skin fibrosis.

Objective: Src kinases are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, which have been implicated in cytoskeletal organization and cell mobility. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of Src kinases as novel targets of antifibrotic therapies.

Methods: Fibroblast cultures were obtained from 10 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 5 healthy subjects.

Prevalence survey of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy in Lithuania.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in two Lithuanian cities, Vilnius and Kaunas.

Methods: The first step in this study involved the translation and validation of a telephone questionnaire developed by rheumatologists and epidemiologists in France. The second step comprised the prevalence survey.

Dual inhibition of c-abl and PDGF receptor signaling by dasatinib and nilotinib for the treatment of dermal fibrosis.

Abelson kinase (c-abl) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are key players in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifibrotic potential of dasatinib and nilotinib, 2 novel inhibitors of c-abl and PDGF, which are well tolerated and have recently been approved. Dasatinib and nilotinib dose-dependently reduced the mRNA and protein levels of extracellular matrix proteins in human stimulated dermal fibroblasts from SSc patients (IC(50) of 0.

Hypoxia-induced increase in the production of extracellular matrix proteins in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Insufficient angiogenesis with tissue ischemia and accumulation of extracellular matrix are hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Based on the severely decreased oxygen levels in the skin of patients with SSc, we aimed to investigate the role of hypoxia in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Methods: Subtractive hybridization was used to compare gene expression in dermal fibroblasts under hypoxic and normoxic conditions.

[A rare case of differential diagnosis of myopathy].

Relationship among thyroid dysfunction and musculoskeletal symptoms has been known for years. Autoimmunic thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyrosis. A patient who suffered from myopathy secondary to autoimmunic thyroiditis and hypothyrosis is described in this article.

[Paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes].

Fifteen percent of patients with malignancy are diagnosed endocrinal, hematological, rheumatic or neuromuscular paraneoplastic syndromes. They are more common in males than in females. Rheumatic paraneoplastic syndromes are quite rare.

[Erythema nodosum association with malignant lymphoma].

Erythema nodosum is the most frequent clinicopathological variant of the panniculitides. The disorder is a cutaneous reaction consisting of inflammatory nodular lesions, usually located on the lower extremities. It may be associated with a wide variety of diseases, infections, sarcoidosis, rheumatologic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, medications and malignancies.