Investigators at Cornell University publish new data on dermatomyositis immunology
2009 JUL 20 - (NewsRx.com) -- Fresh data on dermatomyositis are presented in the report 'Fulminant and accelerated presentation of dermatomyositis in two previously healthy young adult males: a potential role for endotheliotropic viral infection.' According to a study from the United States, "Dermatomyositis (DM) is a prototypic autoimmune syndrome, whereby immune-based microvascular injury is critical in the pathogenesis of skin lesions and the myopathy. Although not widely recognized or accepted as a pathogenetic trigger, endotheliotropic viral triggers including parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus have been linked to DM." "At times, the clinical manifestations in DM can be fulminant with acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure and gastrointestinal infarcts. Skin and lung tissues were processed for hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent and reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction studies. PRESENTATION: We present two cases of fatal DM in previously healthy immunocompetent males. One case had fatal catastrophic respiratory failure from diffuse alveolar damage; herpes simplex virus-2 RNA was uncovered in lung and skin biopsies during autopsy in the absence of classic cytopathic changes of herpes virus infection. The other case showed a Degos-like syndrome; parvovirus B19 RNA transcripts were found in cutaneous endothelium of affected skin. An accelerated clinical course can occur in the setting of DM in previously healthy patients," wrote C.M. Magro and colleagues, Cornell University. The researchers concluded: "A viral-based etiology should be explored because antiviral therapy may define a critical and potentially lifesaving therapeutic endeavor." Magro and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology (Fulminant and accelerated presentation of dermatomyositis in two previously healthy young adult males: a potential role for endotheliotropic viral infection. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, 2009;36(8):853-8). For more information, contact C.M. Magro, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dermatopathology Division, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York City, NY 10065 USA.. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: United States, New York, Dermatomyositis Immunology, Acute Kidney Failure, Acute Renal Failure, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Cutaneous Pathology, Cytomegalovirus, Dermatomyositis, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Enzyme Research, Enzymes, Enzymology, Gastroenterology, Immunology, Kidney, Myopathy, Nephrology, Parvoviridae, Parvovirus, Polymerase, Proteins, Proteomics, Renal Failure, Reverse Transcriptase, Rhabdomyolysis, Rheumatology, Transcriptase. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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