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Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of systemic and localized infection by Candida species and its possible association with demographic, clinical and laboratory manifestations and therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases taking TNF blockers., Methods: Consecutive patients with rheumatic diseases receiving anti-TNF agents were included. The following risk factors up to four weeks prior to the study were analyzed: use of antibiotics, immunosuppressant drugs, hospitalization and invasive procedures. All subjects were evaluated for clinical complaints; specific blood cultures were obtained for fungi and blood samples were collected for Candida spp. detection by polymerase chain reaction., Results: 194 patients [67 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 47 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 36 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 28 with psoriatic arthritis and 16 with other conditions] were included. The average age of patients was 42±16 years, with 68 (35%) male and mean disease duration of 15±10 years. Sixty-four (33%) patients were receiving adalimumab, 59 (30%) etanercept and 71 (36%) infliximab. Eighty-one percent of patients were concomitantly taking immunosuppressant drugs. At the time of the study, only one (0.5%) patient had localized fungal infection (vaginal candidiasis). None of the patients included had systemic candidiasis with positive blood cultures for fungi or PCR positive for Candida spp. in peripheral blood sample., Conclusions: This was the first study to assess the prevalence of invasive and localized fungal disease by Candida in a significant number of patients with rheumatic diseases on anti-TNF therapy, and demonstrated low risk of candidiasis, despite the high prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate alcohol/tobacco/illicit drug use and sexual function in adolescent juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and healthy controls., Methods: 174 adolescents with pediatric rheumatic diseases were selected. A cross-sectional study with 54 JIA patients and 35 controls included demographic/anthropometric data and puberty markers assessments, physician-conducted CRAFFT (car/relax/alone/forget/friends/trouble) screen tool for substance abuse/dependence high risk and a questionnaire that evaluated sexual function, bullying and alcohol/tobacco/illicit drug use. Clinical/laboratorial data and treatment were also assessed in JIA., Results: The median current age was similar between JIA patients and controls [15(10-19) vs. 15(12-18) years, p=0.506]. Frequencies of alcohol/tobacco/illicit drug use were high and similar in both JIA and controls (43% vs. 46%, p=0.829). However, age at alcohol onset was significantly higher in those with JIA [15(11-18) vs. 14(7-18) years, p=0.032], particularly in polyarticular onset (p=0.040). High risk for substance abuse/dependence (CRAFFT score≥2) was found in both groups (13% vs. 15%, p=1.000), likewise bullying (p=0.088). Further analysis of JIA patients regarding alcohol/tobacco/illicit drug use showed that the median current age [17(14-19) vs. 13(10-19)years, p<0.001] and education years [11(6-13) vs. 7(3-12)years, p<0.001] were significant higher in those that used substances. Sexual activity was significantly higher in the former group (48% vs. 7%, p<0.001). A positive correlation was evidenced between CRAFFT score and current age in JIA patients (p=0.032, r=+0.296)., Conclusion: A high risk for substance abuse/dependence was observed in both JIA and controls. JIA substance users were more likely to have sexual intercourse. Therefore, routine screening is suggested in all visits of JIA adolescents., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of systemic and localized infection by Candida species and its possible association with demographic, clinical and laboratory manifestations and therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases taking TNF blockers., Methods: Consecutive patients with rheumatic diseases receiving anti-TNF agents were included. The following risk factors up to four weeks prior to the study were analyzed: use of antibiotics, immunosuppressant drugs, hospitalization and invasive procedures. All subjects were evaluated for clinical complaints, specific blood cultures were obtained for fungi and blood samples were collected for Candida spp. detection by polymerase chain reaction., Results: 194 patients [67 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 47 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 36 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 28 with psoriatic arthritis and 16 with other conditions] were included. The average age of patients was 42±16 years, with 68 (35%) male and mean disease duration of 15±10 years. Sixty-four (33%) patients were receiving adalimumab, 59 (30%) etanercept and 71 (36%) infliximab. Eighty-one percent of patients were concomitantly taking immunosuppressants drugs. At the time of the study, only one (0.5%) patient had localized fungal infection (vaginal candidiasis). None of the patients included had systemic candidiasis with positive blood cultures for fungi or PCR positive for Candida spp. in peripheral blood sample., Conclusions: This was the first study to assess the prevalence of invasive and localized fungal disease by candida in a significant number of patients with rheumatic diseases on anti-TNF therapy, and demonstrated low risk of candidiasis, despite the high prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Systemic histoplasmosis is an invasive fungal infection that may mimic primary vasculitis, particularly granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and was rarely described in adult patients. We reported an immunocompetent patient with disseminated histoplasmosis mimicking GPA who fulfilled European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO)/Pediatric Rheumatology European Society (PRES) validated classification criteria., Case Report: A 6-year old boy presented acute migratory polyarthritis with spontaneous improvement, sinus inflammation, fever, headache and abdominal pain. Serologic test for hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, human immunodeficiency virus, Epstein-Barr virus, toxoplasmosis, dengue virus and antistreptolysin O were all negative. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed moderate ascites in pelvis and pansinusitis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) were positive. He had spontaneous remission of the symptoms including fever. At the age of 11 years and 11 months, he had sinusitis, pneumonia and epididymitis. A month later, he was hospitalized and MRI showed left eye proptosis. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal and indirect tests of fungi were negative. Two months later, he had lumbar pain and computer tomography showed a mass in the right kidney and pulmonary nodule in the right lung. He fulfilled EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria for GPA, however the renal biopsy showed a focal granulomatous interstitial nephritis with yeast fungal cells compatible with Histoplasma sp. He was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole with improvement of signs and symptoms., Conclusion: We reported a progressive disseminated histoplasmosis case mimicking GPA. Histoplasmosis infection should be considered in immunocompetent subjects with uncommon clinical manifestations, such as arthritis, nephritis and epididymitis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Introduction/objectives: Evaluate clinical practice through assessment of vaccination card and recommendation of specific vaccines in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases in use of different drugs and reveal the possible association between vaccination frequency and time of the clinical practice of pediatric rheumatologists in the state of São Paulo., Material and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to pediatric rheumatologists of the Departamento de Reumatologia da Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo. This instrument included questions about practice time on Pediatric Rheumatology, vaccination of patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), and immunization according to the treatments used., Results: Vaccination card was seen by 100% of the professionals at the first visit and by 36% annually. Vaccines of live agents were not recommended for patients with JSLE, JIA, and JDM in 44%, 64%, and 48%, respectively. The professionals were divided into two groups: Group A (≤ 15 years of practice, n = 12) and B (≥ 16 years, n = 13). No statistical difference was observed in the use of live agent vaccine and vaccines with inactivated agents or protein components in the two treatment groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the groups had similar opinion regarding severity of immunosuppression in patients with JSLE, JIA, and JDM (with or without activity) and treatment used (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The frequency of immunization by pediatric rheumatologists in São Paulo is low, especially after the first visit, and not influenced by time of professional practice.