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Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which joints are gradually destroyed. Early diagnosis and treatment before joint deformation or destruction is important. The detection of novel RA biomarkers in saliva may facilitate early detection of RA before disease onset. This study aimed to evaluate salivary concentration of α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in healthy patients and those with RA, and to assess the diagnostic value of salivary A1AT. Materials and Methods: In total, 80 participants were included: 20 healthy participants, and 60 patients with RA. Saliva and serum samples were obtained from all the patients. Levels of A1AT and cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-10 in saliva and serum, were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and Luminex assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Results: There was a higher level of A1AT in the saliva of patients with RA (median: 2388.66 ng/mL) than that in healthy controls (1579.06 ng/mL). There was a positive mild-to-moderate accuracy (area under the curve: 0.57–0.85) of A1AT in saliva to diagnose RA. The cut-off level (ng/mL) of A1AT in saliva for detecting RA was 1689.0. Conclusions: The obtained data can promote the application of the measurements of A1AT in saliva to diagnose RA.

The human oral microbiome refers to an ecological community of symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms found in the oral cavity. The oral cavity is an environment that provides various biological niches, such as the teeth, tongue, and oral mucosa. The oral cavity is the gateway between the external environment and the human body, maintaining oral homeostasis, protecting the mouth, and preventing disease. On the flip side, the oral microbiome also plays an important role in the triggering, development, and progression of oral and systemic diseases. In recent years, disease diagnosis through the analysis of the human oral microbiome has been realized with the recent development of innovative detection technology and is overwhelmingly promising compared to the previous era. It has been found that patients with oral and systemic diseases have variations in their oral microbiome compared to normal subjects. This narrative review provides insight into the pathophysiological role that the oral microbiome plays in influencing oral and systemic diseases and furthers the knowledge related to the oral microbiome produced over the past 30 years. A wide range of updates were provided with the latest knowledge of the oral microbiome to help researchers and clinicians in both academic and clinical aspects. The microbial community information can be utilized in non-invasive diagnosis and can help to develop a new paradigm in precision medicine, which will benefit human health in the era of post-metagenomics.

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The splenic involvement in AAV is known to be rare, and that in MPA has not been reported to date. A 74-year-old woman was admitted owing to left arm numbness and weakness. The patient was diagnosed as MPA with vasculitic neuropathy. Her abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed splenic infarction incidentally. The splenic infarction had been resolved at follow-up CT after treatment. If splenic involvement of MPA was not considered, treatment may have been delayed in order to differentiate other diseases. Herein, I report the first case of splenic involvement of MPA.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune disease which is a type of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis that frequently affects the lungs and kidneys. However, GPA limited to a single organ has also been reported. A 71-year-old man was admitted for back pain and fever. We detected elevated levels of inflammatory markers and myeloperoxidase-ANCA. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated diffuse inflammation of the back and psoas muscles. Histology showed degenerated muscle fibers and granulomatosis vasculitis with mixed lymphoplasma cell infiltration. High-dose methylprednisolone therapy improved his symptoms. A final diagnosis of GPA limited to the muscles was made.

Systemic vasculitis is a group of diverse diseases characterized by immune-mediated inflammation of blood vessels. Current treatments for vasculitis, such as glucocorticoids and alkylating agents, are associated with significant side effects. In addition, the management of both small and large vessel vasculitis is challenging due to a lack of robust markers of disease activity. Recent research has advanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of both small and large vessel vasculitis, and this has led to the development of novel biologic therapies capable of targeting key cytokine and cellular effectors of the inflammatory cascade. It is anticipated that these novel treatments will lead to more effective and less toxic treatment regimens for patients with systemic vasculitis.