We studied a group of six patients with clinical, radiological, and/or manometric features of severely abnormal gastrointestinal motility. Symptoms suggestive of esophageal, small bowel, or colonic involvement were present from 1 1/2 to 40 years. All patients had elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers. None had clinical or radiographic features suggestive of progressive systemic sclerosis or other connective tissue diseases. Two patients had pathologic examinations of intestinal specimens, and these did not show changes suggestive of progressive systemic sclerosis. We conclude that patients with severe gastrointestinal motility disorders can have elevated ANA titers without features of progressive systemic sclerosis or other connective tissue diseases.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01312947 | DOI Listing |
Children (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey.
Background/objectives: Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) pose diagnostic challenges, particularly in pediatric populations, due to their diverse presentations and overlapping symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic concordance between indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) at different dilution levels (1/80 and 1/640) and immunoblot findings for anti-centromere antibody (ACA) positivity. Additionally, the clinical significance of ACA positivity and its association with SARDs in pediatric patients was assessed.
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December 2024
Internal Medicine, Hospital de Santa Luzia - Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, PRT.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting exocrine glands, that may occasionally present with severe extra-glandular manifestations. Although rarely, severe hypokalemia and respiratory muscle paralysis may be initial presentations. We report the case of a 33-year-old woman with a recent history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection who presented with headache and generalized muscle weakness.
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December 2024
Internal Medicine, Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães, PRT.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic connective tissue disease with a wide range of clinical and laboratory manifestations. The diagnosis of SLE is often challenging due to the great variability in its presentation, and treatment should be individualized according to the patient's manifestations and affected organs. We present the clinical case of a 25-year-old female who developed SLE with severe hematological and renal involvement as first manifestations, including hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and nephrotic syndrome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRespir Med Case Rep
December 2024
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
An 89-year-old male with a medical history of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was initially admitted with acute hypoxic respiratory failure attributed to heart failure exacerbation. Aside from progressive dyspnea, a non-pruritic, non-painful rash and constitutional symptoms were reported. Initial work-up was remarkable for normocytic anemia, lymphopenia, mild hypercalcemia, and elevated inflammatory markers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz)
January 2025
Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Diseases, Poznañ University of Medical Sciences, Poznañ, Poland.
Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are critical immunological markers commonly associated with various connective tissue diseases (CTDs). However, these autoantibodies are also detectable in healthy individuals, patients with non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases, those with viral infections, and subjects using specific medications (such as procainamide, hydralazine, and minocycline) that can lead to drug-induced ANA elevation. The standard method for ANA detection is indirect immunofluorescence, a process that requires precision and thoroughness as it assesses both titer and fluorescence patterns.
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