Mary Beth Nierengarten | Issue: February 2021 |
Type I interferon appears to play a role in disease susceptibility and pathogenesis in several classic connective tissue diseases, at least in some patients. Below, I present evidence supporting this connection, explore potential missing links in pathogenesis and discuss biological treatments that target the pathway. The Type I Interferon Pathway Interferons are a class of…
People with autoimmune connective tissue diseases produce antibodies against nuclear antigens up to 10 years before they develop clinical features. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) are also very common, and a small percentage of ANA-positive patients progress to clinical autoimmunity. The question: Is there a reliable way to screen at-risk patients before they develop active autoimmunity and…
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases program recognized for excellence in training, innovation
Case Presentation History of present illness A 66-year-old white woman presented with unexplained, recurrent episodes of high fever, abdominal pain, rash and arthralgias occurring over the previous three years. During typical episodes, the patient experienced flu-like symptoms, followed by fever, abdominal pain and non-bloody diarrhea without tenesmus. Her temperatures were 101–103ºF, with chills lasting up…