Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases-related hepatic injury

Hepatic injury is rarely associated with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). We report, here, a case of a middle-aged woman with UCTD-related hepatic injury, including its case history, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment and its short-term effect. The patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of fatigue, anorexia, low-grade fever and skin rashes. She had a past history of left knee joint replacement. Laboratory tests showed elevated levels of serum transaminase, IgG and globulin, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, eosinophilia and a high titer of antinuclear antibodies (1:320). Imaging studies showed interstitial pneumonitis and hydropericardium. Liver biopsy showed the features which were consistent with those of connective tissue diseases-related polyangitis. After treatment with a low-dose of oral prednisone, both symptoms and laboratory findings were significantly improved. UCTD-related hepatic injury should be considered in the differential diagnosis of connective tissue diseases with abnormal liver function tests. Low- dose prednisone may effectively improve both symptoms and laboratory tests.

IFIH1 and DDX58 gene variants in pediatric rheumatic diseases

BACKGROUND The IFIH1 gene codes the MDA5 protein and the DDX58 gene codes the RIG-I receptor.Both proteins are parts of the interferon(IFN)I signaling pathway and are responsible for antiviral defense and innate immune response.IFIH1 and DDX58 polymorphisms are associated with a spectrum of autoimmune diseases.Rare gain-of-function IFIH1 mutations have been found in Singleton-Merten and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome,while DDX58 mutation can cause atypical Singleton-Merten syndrome.AIM To characterize children with pediatric rheumatic diseases(PRD)carrying DDX58 or IFIH1 variants.METHODS Clinical exome sequencing was performed on 92 children with different PRD.IFIH1 and DDX58 variants have been detected in 14 children.IFN-I score has been analyzed and the clinical characteristics of patients have been studied.RESULTS A total of seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(n=2),myelodysplastic syndrome with SLE features at the onset of the disease(n=1),mixed connective tissue disease(MCTD)(n=1),undifferentiated systemic autoinflammatory disease(uSAID)(n=3)have 5 different variants of the DDX58 gene.A common non-pathogenic variant p.D580E has been found in five children.A rare variant of uncertain significance(VUS)p.N354S was found in one patient with uSAID,a rare likely non-pathogenic variant p.E37K in one patient with uSAID,and a rare likely pathogenic variant p.Cys864fs in a patient with SLE.Elevated IFN-I score was detected in 6 of 7 patients with DDX58 variants.Seven patients had six different IFIH1 variants.They were presented with uSAID(n=2),juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM)(n=1),SLElike disease(n=1),Periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis,pharyngitis,and adenitis syndrome(n=1),and systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis(n=1).Three patients have VUS p.E627X,one patient has benign variant p.I923V.Rare VUS p.R595H was detected in the JDM patient.Another rare VUS p.L679Ifs*2 and previously not reported variant p.V599Ffs*5 were detected in the patient with uSAID.One patient with uSAID has rare VUS p.T520A.All patients had elevated IFN-I scores.CONCLUSION Rare compound-heterozygous IFIH1 variant(p.L679Ifs*2 and p.V599Ffs*5),heterozygous IFIH1 variant(p.T520A)and heterozygous DDX58 variant(p.Cys864fs)are probably disease causative for uSAID and SLE.The majority of patients with different DDX58 and IFI1 variants had hyperactivation of the IFN I signaling pathway.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced renal phospholipidosis resembling Fabry disease in undifferentiated connective tissue disease: A case report

BACKGROUND Fabry disease is a kind of lysosomal storage disease resulting from deficient activity of the lysosomal hydrolase alpha-galactosidase A(GLA). A mutation in the GLA gene leads to a loss of activity of alpha-galactosidase A. Some drugs,such as hydroxychloroquine, can cause pathological changes similar to those usually seen in Fabry disease.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 41-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease in 2008. Hydroxychloroquine treatment started 2 years ago, and proteinuria and hematuria increased. Renal biopsy demonstrated renal phospholipidosis. Zebra bodies and myelin figures were found by renal electron microscopy and were initially thought to be indicators of Fabry disease. A genetic analysis of the patient and her family members did not reveal mutations in the GLA gene, supporting a diagnosis of hydroxychloroquine-induced renal phospholipidosis.CONCLUSION This report reveals one of the adverse effects of hydroxychloroquine. We should pay more attention to hydroxychloroquine-induced renal phospholipidosis.