Effect of HLA type and hypocomplementaemia on the expression of parvovirus arthritis: one year follow up of an outbreak

Article Abstract:

Patients infected with the parvovirus who also carry the genetic marker HLA-DR4 may have prolonged symptoms but will not likely develop rheumatoid arthritis as a direct result of the infection. Doctors interviewed 47 patients and tested 35 patients infected with the parvovirus the previous year for evidence of joint disease and for the presence of the genetic marker HLA-DR4. All of the patients reported having either joint stiffness (44), pain (44), or swelling (39) associated with their infection. None of the patients had evidence of arthritis. Longer-term joint complications reported by these patients included carpal tunnel syndrome (3), low back pain (5), and temporary rashes (34). There was no difference in the frequency of HLA-DR as compared to controls. Patients carrying this marker, however, tended to have joint symptoms for longer than one week.

Complications and side effects, Parvovirus infections

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TCR beta spectratyping in RA: evidence of clonal expansions in peripheral blood lymphocytes

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients may have increased expression of T cell subtypes associated with autoimmunity. T cells are involved in the differentiation of body cells from foreign cells and in the immune system response. Researchers examined T cells from the blood of 14 patients with RA and 12 healthy volunteers and found that RA patients had increased expression of V beta subtypes of CD8+ and CD8- T cells. This immunologic alteration may reflect an increase in autoimmunity, or a dysfunctional immune response to normal tissue.

Physiological aspects, T cell antigen receptors, T cells, CD8 lymphocytes

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Cigarette smoking and rheumatoid arthritis severity

Article Abstract:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and who smoke may be at increased risk for more severe disease. Smoking history was documented and disease severity was evaluated by x-ray and blood testing among 336 patients with RA. The risks for bone deterioration and testing positive for the rheumatoid factor were significantly higher among patients who smoked for more than 25 years. Disease severity increased as the number of years of smoking increased.

Health aspects, Smoking

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