Bronchiectasis, lymphadenopathies related to BAFF overexpression and lymphoplasmacytic cystitis as adverse events associated with prolonged use of rituximab in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Background: The long-term use of rituximab (RTX) has been gaining ground in the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases. The adverse events (AEs) associated with its use different to infections are being reported.

Methods: A cohort of patients with SAIDs treated at a high-complexity center in Cali (southwestern Colombia) with follow-up from January 2008 to December 2022 were examined to search for potential AEs associated with prolonged use of RTX.

Viperidae snake envenomation from a highly complex hospital in southwestern Colombia.

Background: Snake envenomation is a medical condition with high morbidity and mortality in southwestern Colombia.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of the envenomation caused by Viperidae snakes view in a highly complex hospital in Southwestern Colombia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out.

Severe cerebral edema related to oral methadone: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Opioids are widely used for pain management, and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) has been evidenced in some cases. We reported a patient with severe cerebral edema after initiating methadone and its complete resolution upon discontinuing the medication. Additionally, a review of the literature is made.

Eosinophil-related diseases during treatment with glucagon-like peptide one receptor (GLP-1 RA): a case report and review of the literature.

Glucagon-like peptide one-receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are drugs that differ in their pharmacological composition and homology to human GLP-1 and are used most frequently for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss. There are isolated reports of eosinophilic adverse reactions associated with GLP-1 RA. We present the case of a 42-year-old female patient who, after starting weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, developed eosinophilic fasciitis with favorable clinical evolution after the discontinuation of semaglutide and the initiation of immunosuppression.

Improvement of the autoimmune phenomenon after treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism: Possible role of dynamics of parathyroid hormone-1-receptor in B-lymphocytes.

We report a case of 65-year-old male patient with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) who was admitted to the hospital for autoimmune manifestations (including autoimmune hepatitis and autoantibody development) and exhibited subsequent clinical and paraclinical improvement after parathyroidectomy. By flow cytometry, the expression of PTH receptor 1 (PTHR1) on B lymphocytes of peripheral blood was documented to be higher than that in healthy controls. After parathyroidectomy, autoimmune manifestations improved, while PTH1R expression on B-lymphocytes increased.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) and non-HERV viruses incorporated into the human genome and their role in the development of autoimmune diseases.

Genomic incorporation of viruses as human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are components of our genome that possibly originated by incorporating ancestral of exogenous viruses. Their roles in the evolution of the human genome, gene expression, and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (ADs) and neoplastic phenomena are the subject of intense research. This review analyzes the evolutionary and virological aspects of HERVs and other viruses that incorporate their genome into the human genome and have known role in the genesis of ADs.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Patient With Bothrops asper Envenomation.

Bothrops asper envenomation is common in Colombia and is characterized by local tissue injury and venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). Rarely, thrombotic microangiopathy is associated with envenomation by this species. The case of a 57-y-old man with B asper bite and envenomation on the left foot is presented.

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.

Rituximab for Inflammatory Myopathies in a Colombian Cohort.

Introduction/objectives: Rituximab (RTX) is a treatment for refractory inflammatory myopathies, such as dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). This study describes the characteristics of patients receiving RTX for myositis in our institution to evaluate its efficacy.

Method: We collected demographic data from all patients diagnosed with DM or PM who received RTX between 2011 and 2018.

Mycobacterium malmoense: an unusual pathogen causing endocarditis, a case report and literature review.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterias (NTM) are important pathogens responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases in humans. Although exposure is widespread since they are distributed in the environment, the development of the disease is rare. It will depend on the specific species, their virulence (only 50 have been found to cause disease), and the host's immune response.

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.

Autoantibodies production and immunological abnormalities after bariatric surgery.

Objective: Bariatric surgery is a widely used procedure for the treatment of obesity. Our aim is to describe the main immunological changes in patients who undergo bariatric surgery.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted within a cohort of patients undergoing bariatric surgery and without previous evidence of systemic or organ-specific autoimmune diseases in whom 3 blood samples were collected - one day before surgery (Time 0), and 5 (Time 1) and 10 months (Time 2) after surgery.

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.

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.