Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026) Save

Dr. Jack Cush discusses his favorite journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

1. NEJM reports a 10 yrs study of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy (APM) for Degenerative Tear — randomized, sham-surgery–controlled RCT of 147 pts w/o Knee OA.At 10 years, found no signif benefit betw APM and Sham surgery (pain, function) & possible worsening https://buff.ly/DPPfDOd
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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://buff.ly/o5KT803
6. CorEvitas RA registry study of 9601 RA pts starting b/tsDMARDs (52K yrs F/U) - 10.4% had eGFR<60 9CRI). Achieving CDAI remission was lower w/ CRI - 28% vs 19%(adj HR 0·76 [0·66–0·88]) https://t.co/E42N3PQHwG
7. Society of Interventional Radiology position statement supports genicular artery embolization (GAE) symptomatic knee #OA pts who have failed conservative therapy and not candidates for TKA. https://t.co/fFkKqRm0s6
8. 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
9. Registry of 587 #SLE pts. 30% were RNP+ --> more dz activity than RNP- (SLEDAI-2 8.0 vs 4.0) and more Rx use (daily GC 6.8 vs 3 mg). RNP+ more renal, skin & serologic activity & less likely to LLDAS (20% vs 32%) or REM (12% vs 23%). RNP + 18-fold more likely to be Sm+ https://t.co/3J0Uew48OS
10. Predictors of renal crisis & pulm. arterial HTN (PAH) in systemic sclerosis - retrospect. study of 234 SSc pts; 7.3% had PAH & SRC. PAH may precede overlap w/ SRC. SSc w/ both at hi risk for GI bleed (OR 9.5). SRC+PAH assoc w/ Older age, elevated NT-proBNP https://t.co/MsaiPdcDrb
11. Femoral BMD & osteoporosis are independent predictors (inverse relationship) of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. NHANES study(2005-2018) of 2,977 postmenopausal F, OP yielded 47% incr mortality (HR 1.47) https://t.co/67Jv63X0Hx
12. ANCA assoc. pachymeningitis (AAP) is rare. 230 systemic vasculitis, from 177 reports (108 MPO+, 71 PR3+); age~60; HA & cranial neuropathy (hearing/visual loss, diplopia) common. 89% w/ systemic Sxs (ENT, lungs, orbits, kidneys). Look for abnl ESR/CRP, CSF https://t.co/bHQegYYl5V
13. Vitamin D in Rheumatic Disease - Is It Good Enough? 
14. Lupus Mortality Risk in Young Women
15. Toll-Like Receptor Drugs Effective in Cutaneous Lupus