ERA, APPs, & Alpha GAL (3.21.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. Listen in for 2 new case questions - Ask Cush Anything.
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Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a (Lone Star) tick-borne allergy to the galactose-α-1,3-galactose carbohydrate, found in mammalian meat/products; Sxs (hives, itching, swelling, and GI issues) present 2-8 hrs after meat & be life-threatening. Time to Dx has dropped considerably, w/… https://t.co/p1M9Qaf1jz https://t.co/jTJzq7YtVJ
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World Changers (3.14.2025)
Dr Jack Cush and his podcast friends are out to change the world. Here is his weekly review of the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.
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Are Combination Biologics Safe?
Although package inserts commonly warn against combining the use of biologic or targeted therapies, there is growing interest in such combination therapy for patients with problematic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID).
Crohn’s Microbiome may Predispose to Axial Spondyloarthritis
EurekAlert!
People with Crohn’s disease and related joint inflammation linked to immune system dysfunction have distinct gut bacteria or microbiota, with the bacterium Mediterraneibacter gnavus being a potential biomarker, according to new study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.
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Opioid Deaths are Down (2.28.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Opioid deaths are down, IL-33 levels are up and Weight loss is in the news again this week!
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Do infections lead to Kawasaki Dz (KD)? Swedish registry study of 1774 KD vs 17 731 controls. +Hx of Infx incr risk of KD (OR 2.3; 2.0 to 2.5) - mostly Resp, skin, GU & GI Infx. Infxns usually clustered before KD Dx (OR 5.1 15–28d; OR 1.3 6-12 mos prior KD. More infx = more KD… https://t.co/V9zbcmJdKv https://t.co/Evl3rtCxUO
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Risk for Serious Infection with Low-Dose Glucocorticoids in RA
https://t.co/5frAX3W7Hz https://t.co/PHeqCacxKa
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Full read review of association betw #RA & Chikungunya fever (viral infxn transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes). Theres no true link betw RA & CHIKV; but incidence of RA after CHIKV is 13.7% (based on 16 reports, 2879 pts, 449 RA postCHIKV) https://t.co/8fxIS846Nd https://t.co/YD1aLIVrrI
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TheDaoIndex @KDAO2011
A practical clinic-based approach to assessing CVD, CA screening, lung disease, infections for rheums by Dr Bryant England who offers us menus.. start by asking about symptoms. #RNL2025
https://t.co/AcQDJS870I https://t.co/UCyDOF2GRZ
Links:
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Infectious Sacroiliitis
A large Chinese cohort study of patients with infectious sacroiliitis (SI) suggests that CT-guided biopsy of the sacroiliac joint is necessary to properly identify the infectious pathogen leading to SI.
https://t.co/GYI8iz0rOS https://t.co/3wQR47Wd4g
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Participation is Up! (1.31.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. We also have two call-in cases on "Ask Cush Anything".
Be sure to join in the fun at RNL 2025 next weekend - Gong Show Karaoke; what will you sing?
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AGA Guideline: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals
The American Gastroenterology Association has published its revised clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in at-risk patients, particularly those with immune-mediated disease, receiving immunomodulatory therapy and steroids.
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Infectious Sacroiliitis
A large Chinese cohort study of patients with infectious sacroiliitis (SI) suggests that CT-guided biopsy of the sacroiliac joint is necessary to properly identify the infectious pathogen leading to SI.
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Weak Data (1.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com, and features Dr. Charity Dean, the Keynote speaker at RheumNow Live 2025, and why she is an inspiration.
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Korean Biologics (KOBIO) registry showed SpA pts have higher risk of infection. 2,129 AS pts (7108 PY FU) most common was respiratory infx (26/1000 PY), followed by herpes zoster (6/1000 PY) Risk includes age, ischemic CV Dz, diabetes, CKD, peripheral arthritis.… https://t.co/0j1fH7OymW https://t.co/gqa1csylsn
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Outcomes of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
A nationwide cohort study of patients with MIS-C, a life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, showed that many had severe disease during the acute phase, but most recovered quickly and had a reassuring… https://t.co/qbV4Z8SX0x https://t.co/VUD5KHeXZH
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Among SLE pts, males have a higher risk of infection compared to females. Males have a (6X) higher prevalence of pneumonia and women have more urinary tract infections. Retrospective study of 119 SLE pts (107 females, 12 males) https://t.co/dhq3yoFUi8 https://t.co/Lf1X2k0Gte
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Fallen Angels (1.17.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com; and pays homage to colleagues who passed away in 2024.
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CDC/ACIP 2025 new Immunization recommendations w/ new vaccine recs for COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal serogroup B, pneumococcal, & RSV. Influenza vaccines have been changed from the quadrivalent to trivalent formulations. https://t.co/Kh1NXMuhVU https://t.co/CRq87PZ31j
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Among SLE pts, males have a higher risk of infection compared to females. Males have a (6X) higher prevalence of pneumonia and women have more urinary tract infections. Retrospective study of 119 SLE pts (107 females, 12 males) https://t.co/M12G7hT340 https://t.co/SG7eSGzpXh
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Pan American Health Org announces that in 2024 saw largest dengue epidemic in the Americas, >12.6 million cases reported (3x record in 2023); 21,000 severe w/ 7,700 deaths; 90% from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico. Most USA cases (FL, HI, TX, AZ, CA) seen in travelers… https://t.co/nhuJIP9Y8v https://t.co/QLju8uRKZ8
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Steroids and Infection
https://t.co/J8OU6I9410 https://t.co/JwpSrS4ouI
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In #RA, Higher levels of ESR and CRP, but not DAS28, joint counts or global assessments, were significantly associated with the risk of incident ILD in RA. German biologics (RABBIT) registry study compared 139 RA-ILD vs vs 686 controls. https://t.co/Ul4HZ1hzS0 https://t.co/GLKL7U4ASt
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Best of 2024: Upside/Downside of Steroids in Lupus Nephritis
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis demonstrates both the benefits and harms to early glucocorticoid regimens on lupus outcomes.
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