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Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses his favorite journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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30 yr Retrospective study of 1216 SLE hospitalizations in Barcelona - SLE flares & infections were most frequent. Hosp for infections signif. increased & in last 5yrs, exceeded Dz flares (34% vs. 26%). Younger pts had more flare hosp; older more infx hosp. Over time infx have https://t.co/TkUiXaoL1R
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The safe/right choice is H. Zoster. You never fully eradicate invasive fungal or NTM infections. HBV is too risky to again use TNFi again. After H.zoster is Rx,there is evidence its safe to restart TNFi without risk of recurrence. Vagal N. Stim is the mechanistically same as
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RHEUM Survey: After treating which infection can you safely resume anti-TNF therapy?
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RHEUM Survey: After treating which infection can you safely resume anti-TNF therapy?
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following Uveitis
A Korean insurance claims data study showed children and adolescents diagnosed with uveitis have a 7-fold increased risk of developing an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (IMID).
https://t.co/NJI4369ygL https://t.co/6mHK8hYMeG
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Does RTX work in CNS lupus? Japanese experience in 17 refractory NP-SLE pts Rx w/ RTX - 16/17 had significant improve. & 1 partial improvement -- none had NP-SLE relapse. Two died during COVID> https://t.co/GpCgpSxn37 https://t.co/PMz05MHBhj
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses his favorite journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/MzqDykG78w https://t.co/z7BsADXo4x
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
10yr retrosp. study of 110 Still’s dz pts. MAS occurred in 37% (1/2 @onset; assoc w/ serositis) and ILD observed in 82% (also assoc w/ MAS, polycyclic course) https://t.co/SNa0KiWfgY https://t.co/xbpCuHdJka
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RA adds to mortality risk in nontuberculous mycobact. infx (NTM). Retro study 1420 NTM pts, 66 (4.6) had RA. RA was independent predictor of resp-death (HR 4.30) - partly explained by ILD & systemic inflammation https://t.co/S9bndHsXCE https://t.co/mC74Qve1LZ
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ArthritisPower Registry (now PatientSpot) survey study of 351 RA pts (age 60, F 84%); reported 439 nonserious infx. 27% total infx, 14%w/ MD visist & Abx. Infx incr w/ GC ≥10 mg/d (OR 1.94), but Biologics & JAKi not assoc. w/ greater NSIE risk vs cs DMARDs https://t.co/bHqFnoY0Ud
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JAMA Insights on Chikungunya (affects 35 million worldwide) - mosquito-borne alphavirus seen in tropics, also travelers. Dz char by fever, disabling polyarthritis; less rash, HA, myalgia, N/V, conjunctivitis; rarely myocarditis. https://t.co/Fa3cHygc4W https://t.co/jmh2WjOcI5
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PTPN22 1858C>T allele, seen in 5-15% NAmerica, often assoc. w/ autoimmune dz risk. BUT...PNAS shows Ptpn22 augments innate immunity and enhances NK activity against coronavirus infection https://t.co/1AMTuOXtoT https://t.co/9f3JdimJsG
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Parvovirus B19 Infection - Images from JAMA Dermatology. 40yoM 2-days asymptomatic rash w/ fever to 39°C, w/ arthralgias, Rash on BL cheeks, inguinal, flanks, axilla. WBC =2K, CRP 1.24 mg/dl. Dx by PCR for parvovirus B19 DNA https://t.co/LGGnabvFvA https://t.co/yyBF9pEGls
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JAMA Review of acute and chronic Hepatitis B infection. "All ...on immunosuppressive Rx should be tested for HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBc Ab. HBV DNA measured in HBsAg+ & those w/ isolated Ab HBcAg https://t.co/LTecQlSMX3 https://t.co/SgVyk9fSCd
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Supposedly there's a shortage of Infectious Dz specialists & Fellowship applic are down. Survey of 380 Int. Med residents (41 prgs) shows ID interest signif assoc w/ exposure to ID in Yr 1 & 2, outpt clinics, ID- research. https://t.co/AUkiIvsuaV https://t.co/pOqkBhy93U
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Full read review of Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Mucosal Origin Hypothesis
- Gut Microbiota
- Smoking & environment
- Periodontitis
- Immunosenescence
- T cell abnormalities
- Drug prevention https://t.co/UgqNBnKLMT https://t.co/2YZEiRCKNi
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA Review of acute and chronic Hepatitis B infection. "All ...on immunosuppressive Rx should be tested for HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBc Ab. HBV DNA measured in HBsAg+ & those w/ isolated Ab HBcAg https://t.co/LTecQlSMX3 https://t.co/cq3CuIuMKX
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COVID Virus Persistence with DMARD Use
Drugs commonly used to treat systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) may prolong SARS-CoV-2 circulation after COVID-19 infection in patients with these conditions, with researchers documenting substantially increased viral antigen https://t.co/szeILIbmjF
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
