Parvovirus B19 infection mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus, successfully treated with intravenous immune globulin
GERMS
Authors: Ozlu, Sare Gulfem; Alan, Basak; Sahiner, Aysegul; Bulut, Busra; Bayhan, Gulsum Iclal; Ozdemir, Sonay Incesoy
Abstract
Introduction Parvovirus B19 infection generally presents as a transient viral illness in children but rarely shows systemic lupus erythematosus-like symptoms. Case report Here we present a 7-year-old girl with parvovirus B19 infection who had prolonged fever, rash, pancytopenia and hypocomplementemia making it difficult do differentiate from the first episode of systemic lupus erythematosus. Because she had severe progressive pancytopenia she was administered intravenous immune globulin treatment and her clinical course was dramatically improved. Discussion Parvovirus B19 infection can mimic systemic lupus erythematosus and it may be difficult to differentiate a recent parvovirus B19 infection and the first presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Absence of discoid lesions, alopecia, Raynaud phenomenon and autoimmune hemolytic anemia may help to distinguish parvovirus B19 infection from systemic lupus erythematosus. Conclusions Parvovirus B19 infection may cause a severe clinical picture resembling systemic lupus erythematosus even in otherwise healthy children. Intravenous immune globulin treatment might be considered in cases resistant to supportive management.
Highly Effective Fibrin Biopolymer Scaffold for Stem Cells Upgrading Bone Regeneration
MATERIALS
Authors: Creste, Camila Fernanda Zorzella; Orsi, Patricia Rodrigues; Landim-Alvarenga, Fernanda Cruz; Justulin, Luis Antonio; Golim, Marjorie de Assis; Barraviera, Benedito; Ferreira, Rui Seabra
Abstract
Fibrin scaffold fits as a provisional platform promoting cell migration and proliferation, angiogenesis, connective tissue formation and growth factors stimulation. We evaluated a unique heterologous fibrin biopolymer as scaffold to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat a critical-size bone defect. Femurs of 27 rats were treated with fibrin biopolymer (FBP); FBP + MSCs; and FBP + MSC differentiated in bone lineage (MSC-D). Bone repair was evaluated 03, 21 and 42 days later by radiographic, histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The FBP + MSC-D association was the most effective treatment, since newly formed Bone was more abundant and early matured in just 21 days. We concluded that FBP is an excellent scaffold for MSCs and also use of differentiated cells should be encouraged in regenerative therapy researches. The FBP ability to maintain viable MSCs at Bone defect site has modified inflammatory environment and accelerating their regeneration.