Autoimmunity reviews
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Autoimmunity reviews · Apr 2014
ReviewDiagnosis and classification of autoimmune blistering diseases.
Blistering skin diseases are a group of autoimmune disorders that are characterized by autoantibodies against structural proteins of the epidermis or the dermal-epidermal junction and clinically by blisters and erosions on skin and/or mucous membranes. Since clinical criteria and histopathological characteristics are not sufficient for diagnosis, direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a biopsy specimen or serological tests are needed for exact diagnosis. ⋯ Moreover, some bullous diseases may indicate the presence of an underlying malignancy. The detection of serum autoantibodies have been shown to correlate with disease activity and thus may be helpful in deciding treatment options for these patients.
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Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated liver disorder characterised by female preponderance, elevated transaminase and immunoglobulin G levels, seropositivity for autoantibodies and interface hepatitis. Presentation is highly variable, therefore AIH should be considered during the diagnostic workup of any increase in liver enzyme levels. A set of inclusion and exclusion criteria for the diagnosis of AIH have been established by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG). ⋯ Perinuclear anti-nuclear neutrophil antibody (p-ANNA) is an additional marker of AIH-1; anti soluble liver antigen (SLA) antibodies are specific for autoimmune liver disease, can be present in AIH-1 and AIH-2 and are associated with a more severe clinical course. Anti-SLA are detectable by ELISA or radio-immuno-assays, but not by immunofluorescence. AIH is exquisitely responsive to immunosuppressive treatment, which should be instituted promptly to prevent rapid deterioration and promote remission and long-term survival.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Apr 2014
ReviewDiagnosis and classification of neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome).
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disorder, predominantly characterized by severe optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis (TM). Historically considered a variant of Multiple sclerosis, the discovery that most NMO patients have autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) or NMO-IgG, dramatically changed our understanding of the disease. ⋯ Furthermore, symptoms other than optic-spinal involvement and the presence of brain lesions, do not exclude the diagnosis of NMO as traditionally accepted. We present an overview of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and current diagnostic criteria for NMO and NMO spectrum disorders.
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Recent studies suggested the existence of two subtypes of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP): type 1 related with IgG4 as the pancreatic manifestation of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), and type 2 related with a granulocytic epithelial lesion. Apart from type 2 AIP, the characteristic features of type 1 AIP are increased serum IgG4 levels, lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (abundant infiltration of IgG4+ plasmacytes and lymphocytes, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis), extra-pancreatic manifestations of IgG4-RD (e.g. sclerosing cholangitis, sclerosing sialadenitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis), and steroid responsiveness. Although the way how to diagnose IgG4-RD has not been established yet, the Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria (CDC) for IgG4-RD for general use, and several organ specific criteria for AIP have been proposed; the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) and the revised clinical diagnostic criteria in 2011 by Japan Pancreas Society (JPS-2011) for type1 AIP. In cases of probable or possible IgG4-RD diagnosed by the CDC, organ specific diagnostic criteria should be concurrently used according to an algorithm of diagnosis for IgG4-RD with reference to the specialist.
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Autoimmunity reviews · Apr 2014
ReviewThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and other thrombotic microangiopathic hemolytic anemias: diagnosis and classification.
Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) include several diseases, most prominently are thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). TMAs are characterized by profound thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and organ ischemia. In most cases TTP results from deficiency of ADAMTS13, the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease leading to increase of ultra-large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) multimers. ⋯ Plasmapheresis in HUS is not efficient. Alternatively, plasma therapy and in some cases dialysis are used. TMA diseases may be associated with other infections, bone marrow transplantation, pregnancy, systemic vasculitis, and certain drugs.