Manish Butte

Front Pediatr. 2023 Aug 7;11:1210181. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1210181. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is clinically diverse, and children have a low risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, children with chronic diseases have a potentially increased risk.

METHODS: We performed a prospective surveillance study with longitudinal serum SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibody quantification and questionnaires in pediatric tertiary care patients during the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (November 2020-September 2021). The results were compared with those of healthy children and adults from the same geographic area.

RESULTS: We obtained 525 samples from 362 patients (M/F ratio of 1.3:1; median age of 11.1 years) comprising children with immune-suppressive or immune-modulating drugs (32.9%), inborn errors of immunity (23.5%), type 1 diabetes mellitus (15.2%), and rheumatic diseases (11.9%). A total of 51 (9.7%) samples were seropositive among 37/351 children (10.5%). Seropositivity increased from 5.8% in November-December 2020 to 21.6% in July-September 2021. Compared with adults, a longitudinal analysis revealed reduced seroprevalence but similar kinetics as in children from the same country. Demographic or social variables and disease characteristics did not correlate with seropositivity. Being obese and household contact with COVID-19-infected individuals significantly increased the odds of infection. The majority of seropositive patients had mild symptoms (21/37). One-third were asymptomatic and/or unaware of having COVID-19 (10/37). Four patients (4/37) needed hospitalization, with good clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Although harboring a chronic disease, we observed a low SARS-CoV-2 incidence in a cohort of pediatric tertiary care patients, comparable with healthy children during the first year of the pandemic. Infection was mostly associated with mild symptoms.

PMID:37609364 | PMC:PMC10440688 | DOI:10.3389/fped.2023.1210181

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2023 Aug 22. doi: 10.2174/1871530323666230822100031. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by chronic/recurrent respiratory infections, bronchiectasis, autoimmunity, inflammatory, gastrointestinal diseases and malignancies associated with a chronic inflammatory state and increased risk of osteoporosis and muscle loss.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), body composition and their relationship with lymphocyte subpopulations in CVID patients.

METHODS: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to assess BMD, lean mass, and fat mass in CVID patients. Peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells were measured using flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (37.3 ± 10.8 years old) were examined. Although only 11.8% of the individuals were malnourished (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), 27.7% of them had low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and 57.6% of them had low BMD. Patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis presented lower weight (p=0.007), lean mass (p=0.011), appendicular lean mass (p=0.011), SMI (p=0.017), and CD4+ count (p=0.030). Regression models showed a positive association between CD4+ count and bone/muscle parameters, whereas CD19+ B cell count was only associated with muscle variables. Analysis of ROC curves indicated a cutoff value of CD4+ count (657 cells/mm3; AUC: 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.90) which was related to low BMD. Weight (p=0.004), lean mass (p=0.027), appendicular lean mass (p=0.022), SMI (p=0.029), total bone mineral content (p=0.005), lumbar (p=0.005), femoral neck (p=0.035), and total hip BMD (p<0.001) were found to be lower in patients with CD4+ count below the cutoff.

CONCLUSION: CVID patients presented with low BMD, which was associated with CD4+ count. Moreover, low muscle parameters were correlated with B cell count.

PMID:37608677 | DOI:10.2174/1871530323666230822100031

Aging (Albany NY). 2023 Aug 21;15. doi: 10.18632/aging.204966. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is an increased risk of ischemic stroke (IS) associated with COVID-19. However, few studies have been reported to explain the potential correlation between COVID-19 and IS.

METHODS: We investigated the relationship and relevant mechanisms between COVID-19 and IS using single-cell RNA sequencing and multiple bioinformatics approaches.

RESULTS: By intersecting differentially expressed genes and WGCNA critical module genes, we obtained 73 COVID-19-related IS genes. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the COVID-19-related IS disease genes were significantly enriched in the hematopoietic cell lineage pathway, ribosome pathway, COVID-19 pathway and primary immunodeficiency pathway. Finally, three genes associated with immunity (B4GALT5, CRISPLD2, F5) and two genes associated with ferroptosis (ACSL1, CREB5) were identified up-regulated in COVID-19 related IS. Significantly, it was found that all five genes were highly expressed in monocytes by single cell RNA sequencing.

CONCLUSION: We believe these genes (B4GALT5, CRISPLD2, F5, ACSL1, CREB5) may regulate the immune response and ferroptosis of multiple immune cells, mainly including monocytes, which may contribute to the development of COVID-19-related IS. In addition, these genes may be potential targets for the treatment of COVID-19-related IS.

PMID:37606960 | DOI:10.18632/aging.204966

Front Immunol. 2023 Jul 20;14:1208567. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208567. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS) is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) characterized primarily by frequent infections, lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. Since its initial description in 2013, APDS has become part of the growing group of nearly 500 IEIs affecting various components of the immune system. The two subtypes of APDS – APDS1 and APDS2 – are caused by variants in the PIK3CD and PIK3R1 genes, respectively. Due to the rarity of the disease and the heterogeneous clinical picture, many patients are not diagnosed until years after symptom onset. Another challenge is the large number of PIK3CD and PIK3R1 variants whose functional significance for developing APDS is inconclusive. Treatment of APDS has so far been mostly symptom-oriented with immunoglobulin replacement therapy, immunosuppressive therapies and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxes. Additionally, allogeneic stem cell transplantation as well as new targeted therapies are options targeting the root cause that may improve patients’ quality of life and life expectancy. However, the clinical course of the disease is difficult to predict which complicates the choice of appropriate therapies. This review article discusses diagnostic procedures and current and future treatment options, and highlights the difficulties that physicians, patients and their caretakers face in managing this complex disease. This article is based on cohort studies, the German and US guidelines on the management of primary immunodeficiencies as well as on published experience with diagnosis and compiled treatment experience for APDS.

PMID:37600808 | PMC:PMC10432830 | DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208567

Rev Med Interne. 2023 Aug 16:S0248-8663(23)00668-9. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2023.06.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Auto-inflammatory diseases (AIDs) are diseases resulting from an inappropriate activation of innate immunity in the absence of any infection. The field of monogenic AIDs is constantly expanding, with the discovery of new pathologies and pathophysiological mechanisms thanks to pangenomic sequencing. Actinopathies with auto-inflammatory manifestations are a new emerging group of AIDs, linked to defects in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics. These diseases most often begin in the neonatal period and combine to varying degrees a more or less severe primary immune deficiency, cytopenias (especially thrombocytopenia), auto-inflammatory manifestations (especially cutaneous and digestive), atopic and auto-immune manifestations. The diagnosis is to be evoked essentially in front of a cutaneous-digestive auto-inflammation picture of early onset, associated with a primary immune deficiency and thrombocytopenia or a tendency to bleed. Some of these diseases have specificities, including a risk of macrophagic activation syndrome or a tendency to atopy or lymphoproliferation. We propose here a review of the literature on these new diseases, with a proposal for a practical approach according to the main associated biological abnormalities and some clinical particularities. However, the diagnosis remains genetic, and several differential diagnoses must be considered. The pathophysiology of these diseases is not yet fully elucidated, and studies are needed to better clarify the inherent mechanisms that can guide the choice of therapies. In most cases, the severity of the picture indicates allogeneic marrow transplantation.

PMID:37596178 | DOI:10.1016/j.revmed.2023.06.005

Transplant Cell Ther. 2023 Aug 16:S2666-6367(23)01473-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.08.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Data on treosulfan-based conditioning regimens are little by little increasing, and the benefits of this approach are consistent, particularly regarding acute toxicity. This study aims to describe the results of treosulfan-based conditioning regimens in children, focusing on toxicity and outcomes when used to treat both malignant and non-malignant diseases.

METHODS: Retrospective observational study on pediatric patients treated in Spain with treosulfan-based conditioning regimens before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), based on data collection from electronic clinical records.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty treosulfan-based conditioning HSCTs to treat non-malignant diseases (n=117) or malignant diseases (n=43) in 158 children and adolescents are reported. Median age at HSCT was 5.1 years (IQR: 2-10). The most frequent diagnoses were primary immunodeficiency (n=42; 36%) and sickle cell disease (n=42; 36%) in the non-malignant cohort and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=15; 35%) in the malignant cohort. Engraftment occurred in 97% of the patients. There was a longer median time to neutrophil engraftment (17 vs. 14 days; p=0.008) and platelet engraftment (20 vs. 15 days; p=0.002) in the non-malignant cohort. The 1-year cumulative incidence of VOD was 7.98 (95%CI [4.6-13.6]), with no significant differences between cohorts. The 1-year cumulative incidence of grade III-IV aGvHD was higher in the malignant cohort (18% vs. 3.2%; p=0.011). Overall, cGvHD was more frequently observed in the malignant cohort for both total incidence (9 vs. 3%; p<0.001) and 2-year cumulative incidence of total cGvHD (16 vs. 1.9%; p<0.001). The 2-year cumulative TRM was 15%, with no differences between cohorts. 5-year Overall Survival was 80% (95%CI [72-86]) and was higher in the non-malignant cohort (87 vs. 61%; p=0.01). The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse in the malignant cohort was 25%. 5-year cumulative GRFS rate was 60% (95%CI [51-70]) and was higher in the non-malignant cohort (72 vs. 22%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The treosulfan-based radiation-free conditioning regimen is feasible, achieving a high engraftment rate and 5-year overall survival. A treosulfan-based conditioning regimen is an emerging option for the first HSCT in non-malignant diseases.

PMID:37595686 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtct.2023.08.016

Horm Res Paediatr. 2023 Aug 16:1-8. doi: 10.1159/000531491. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with homozygous recessive mutations in STAT5B have severe progressive postnatal growth failure and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) deficiency associated with immunodeficiency and increased risk of autoimmune and pulmonary conditions. This report describes the efficacy and safety of recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) in treating severe growth failure due to STAT5B deficiency.

CASE PRESENTATION: Three siblings (P1, 4.4 year-old female; P2, 2.3 year-old male; and P3, 7 month-old female) with severe short stature (height SDS [HtSDS] -6.5, -4.9, -5.3, respectively) were referred to the Center for Growth Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. All three had a homozygous mutation (p.Trp631*) in STAT5B. Baseline IGF-I was 14.7, 14.1, and 10.8 ng/mL, respectively (all &lt; -2.5 SDS for age and sex), and IGFBP-3 was 796, 603, and 475 ng/mL, respectively (all &lt; -3 SDS for age and sex). The siblings were started on rhIGF-1 at 40 μg/kg/dose twice daily subcutaneously (SQ), gradually increased to 110-120 μg/kg/dose SQ twice daily as tolerated. HtSDS and height velocity (HV) were monitored over time.

RESULTS: Six years of growth data was utilized to quantify growth response in the two older siblings and 5 years of data in the youngest. Pre-treatment HVs were, respectively, 3.0 (P1), 3.0 (P2), and 5.2 (P3) cm/year. With rhIGF-1 therapy, HVs increased to 5.2-6.0, 4.8-7.1, and 5.5-7.4 cm/year, respectively, in the first 3 years of treatment, before they decreased to 4.7, 3.8, and 4.3 cm/year, respectively, at a COVID-19 pandemic delayed follow-up visit and with decreased treatment adherence. ΔHtSDS for P1 and P2 was +2.21 and +0.93, respectively, over 6 years, but -0.62 for P3 after 5 years and in the setting of severe local lipohypertrophy and suboptimal weight gain. P3 also experienced hypoglycemia that limited our ability to maintain target rhIGF-1 dosing.

CONCLUSION: The response to rhIGF-1 therapy is less than observed with rhIGF-1 therapy for patients previously described with severe primary IGF-I deficiency, including patients with documented defects in the growth hormone receptor, but may still provide patients with STAT5B deficiency with an opportunity to prevent worsening growth failure.

PMID:37586336 | DOI:10.1159/000531491

Front Immunol. 2023 Jul 27;14:1217718. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1217718. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Data regarding response to SARS-CoV-2 immunization in pediatric patients with predominantly antibody deficiency (PAD) is limited. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 immunization response by anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibody level in 15 pediatric PAD patients. These data were compared to a published cohort of adult PAD patients (n=62) previously analyzed following SARS-CoV-2 immunization at our single center institution. We evaluated demographics, clinical characteristics, immunophenotype, infection history, and past medication use by chart review. Following a two-dose monovalent initial series SARS-CoV-2 immunization, mean anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibody levels were significantly higher in pediatric PAD patients compared to adult PAD patients (2,890.7 vs. 140.1 U/mL; p<0.0001). Pediatric PAD patients with low class-switched memory B-cells, defined as <2% of total CD19+ B-cells, had significantly lower mean anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibody levels than those without (p=0.02). Following a third-dose monovalent SARS-CoV-2 immunization, the mean anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike antibody levels in pediatric PAD patients significantly increased (2,890.7 to 18,267.2 U/mL; p<0.0001). These data support Centers for Disease Control guidelines regarding three-part SARS-CoV-2 vaccine series, including in the pediatric PAD patient demographic.

PMID:37575247 | PMC:PMC10413262 | DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1217718

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2023 Aug 6;57(8):1280-1285. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20230509-00359.

ABSTRACT

As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up “one-click help”. The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.

PMID:37574324 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20230509-00359

Transpl Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 12:e14124. doi: 10.1111/tid.14124. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37573149 | DOI:10.1111/tid.14124