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Background: Laboratory-based biomarkers accurately presenting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity may have a practical value in clinical routine. As shown in many other conditions, complete blood count (CBC)-derived biomarkers may also play a role in SLE., Objectives: We aimed to study for the first time the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV, monocytes x platelets x neutrophils/lymphocytes) and the more established systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, neutrophils x platelets /lymphocytes) in SLE patients and correlate it with serological and clinical findings including disease outcomes., Methods: In this retrospective multicentric investigation, we reviewed the clinical records of 148 SLE who had an available CBC at baseline. The latter served for the determination of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), SII, and the PIV. Control groups were studied as well. Univariable as well as multivariable statistics were employed., Results: The values for baseline systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers (SIIB) studied were significantly ( p < 0.0001) higher than those observed in healthy controls but comparable to those obtained from patients with other inflammatory conditions. Multivariable analysis revealed that ANA titer > 1:640 remained the only significant ( p < 0.0001) baseline predictor of SLE flare (odds ratio: 7.6, 95% CI 3.1 to 18.8). Improvement of SLE following treatment was associated with the absence of lymphopenia as well as ANA > 1:640 ( p = 0.041). The SLEDAI-2K significantly correlated with NLR, SII, CRP, lymphocytes, and monocytes only on univariable testing., Conclusions: Compared to healthy controls the CBC-based SIIB investigated are significantly increased in SLE patients. However, SIIB do not appear to be useful in managing SLE clinically. Nevertheless, we confirm that higher ANA titers can predict flares of SLE., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The inflammatory pathogenesis behind the debilitating chronic inflammatory skin disorder hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is poorly understood. Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) may contribute to the pathogenesis and chronic inflammation in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, there are no data on the expression or function of miRNAs in HS., Objective: To evaluate expression of the miRNA key regulators Drosha, Drosha co-factor DGRC8, Dicer and Exportin-5 in the inflammatory microenvironment of HS., Methods: Specimens were harvested from lesional HS skin (n=18), adjacent healthy-appearing HS skin (n=7), lesional psoriatic skin (n=10), and healthy subjects (n=10). To evaluate the quantitative real-time RT-PCR data of Drosha and Dicer a subset of skin samples were studied by immunohistochemistry., Results: Drosha and DGRC8 were significantly downregulated in healthy-appearing perilesional skin from HS patients compared to healthy controls. There were no significant differences in Drosha, DGRC8 and Exportin-5 expression between lesional HS and lesional psoriatic skin. Notably, Dicer expression levels were not dysregulated in psoriatic skin., Limitations: Small sample size and descriptive study design., Conclusions: The miRNA key regulators were significantly dysregulated in HS lesions compared to healthy skin. Drosha and DGRC8 are altered in the initial, subclinical inflammatory process in healthy-appearing perilesional skin of HS patients prior to the first visible clinical manifestations. Dicer and Exportin-5 may contribute to the later inflammatory process with visible HS lesions., (Copyright © 2016 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is often a therapeutic challenge with relapses and chronicity which can severely impact patients’ quality of life. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory oral zinc gluconate, 90 mg/day, combined with topical triclosan, 2% twice daily. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of HS patients in our HS Center of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, regarding change of disease severity and quality of life. Secondary outcome measures were the number of nodules and fistulas, the number of boils or flair-ups, and the intensity of pain. Results Sixty-six patients in Hurley stage I and II were included. After 3 months of combination therapy, the modified HS Score and the Dermatology Life Quality Index improved significantly (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0386, respectively). The number of inflammatory nodules, new boils or flare-ups, and erythema scores decreased significantly. Fistula count and the visual analogue scale score showed no significant difference. Side-effects (mostly abdominal pain and nausea) were reported by 12 (22.2%) patients. Conclusion The combination therapy of zinc gluconate and topical triclosan can be considered as an anti-inflammatory treatment for HS patients in Hurley stage I and initial Hurley stage II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of bacterial colonization in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions is poorly understood. To date, data on the related microbial profile and especially on bacterial resistance rates are scarce. Methods: The results of bacterial cultures and susceptibility patterns of the isolated microorganisms obtained from deep portions of HS lesions from patients who underwent surgery at our HS Centre between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Analyses of 113 bacterial samples from 113 HS patients revealed bacterial growth in 95 samples (84.1%). Polymicrobial growth was found in 51 samples (45.1%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the most commonly isolated bacteria, followed by Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli . Data on susceptibility testing were available for 68 samples, which yielded 129 isolates. The isolated strains were primarily resistant to penicillin G, followed by erythromycin, clindamycin and ampicillin. The highest effectiveness against isolates was observed for fosfomycin, imipenem, fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), and cotrimoxazole. Conclusions: Our findings on bacterial species and their topographical distribution revealed that the microbial flora in HS lesions reflects commensal flora of the skin. Due to the susceptibility rate and immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, cotrimoxazole may represent an alternative antibiotic agent and should be considered for therapy in HS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data regarding the association of routinely obtained serum markers of inflammation, namely C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, and neutrophil count, with disease severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) according to a scoring system have not been reported to our knowledge.Objective: We sought to evaluate these inflammatory serum markers for assessing disease severity of HS.Methods: Medical files of 275 patients who were referred to the outpatient HS center of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, in 2013 were evaluated retrospectively.Results: CRP levels and neutrophil count significantly differed among Hurley stages I, II and III (P < .0001, P = .0002, respectively). There were significant positive correlations among CRP levels (r = 0.496, P < .0001) and neutrophil count (r = 0.330, P = .0009) with modified Hidradenitis Suppurativa Score. CRP was a significant independent predictor for Hurley stage III (odds ratio 1.077, 95% confidence interval 1.013-1.145, P = .016). CRP and body mass index were significant independent predictors for severe disease according to modified Hidradenitis Suppurativa Score (odds ratio 1.065, 95% confidence interval 1.015-1.117, P = .009; and odds ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.009-1.243, P = .032, respectively).Limitations: Files were analyzed retrospectively.Conclusion: These inflammatory markers, especially CRP, are effective for assessing the extent of disease severity and the grade of inflammation in patients with HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]