Background B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and their receptors BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI are crucial factors for the survival of B lymphocytes. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the importance of BAFF/APRIL signaling in lupus nephritis (LN). This study evaluated the relationships between LN clinical characteristics and the urinary expression levels of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptors to assess their potential value as disease biomarkers. Methods Expression levels of these genes were assessed in urine samples collected from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients before renal biopsy using reverse transcription real-time PCR. Results Thirty-five patients with LN were included. Most of the patients were female (82.86%) with median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) of 15. BAFF mRNA was detectable in 28.57%, APRIL mRNA in 42.85%, BR3 mRNA in 48.57%, and TACI mRNA in 42.85% of urine samples. On the other hand, urinary (u)BCMA mRNA was not found in any sample. Urinary expression of most biomarkers was detected with greater frequency in class III and IV LN compared to class V LN. The expression level of uBR3 mRNA was correlated with SLEDAI-2K and histological activity index. Conclusion Urinary expression of BAFF/APRIL signaling factors, especially TACI, APRIL, and BR3 mRNAs, may be useful biomarkers for LN.

BackgroundThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus has become a worldwide pandemic since first discovered in 2019. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare has been reported in the post‐infectious period. In Colombia, the fourth pandemic wave started at the beginning of 2022 when we observed flare of 3 SLE patients during active infection.Case presentationWe describe 3 patients with inactive SLE, who presented coronavirus disease 2019 and severe flare in early 2022, 2 patients with nephritis and 1 with severe thrombocytopenia. All patients had increase of antinuclear and anti‐DNA antibody titers and complement consumption.ConclusionsThree cases with SLE flare concomitant with active SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were different from others reported earlier in the pandemic with post‐infectious flare.

ObjectivesIdiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are chronic, autoimmune diseases with several forms of presentation. Diagnosis is mostly clinical in our region. Our aim was to evaluate the autoantibody profile of patients with IIMs.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study with a prospective recollection of data, conducted between 2019–2021, in a single center in Cali, Colombia. Patients with a clinical diagnosis or suspicion of IIM were included. The presence of myositis-specific/associated antibodies was evaluated by immunoblotting in serum samples. Phenotypic characterization was performed.ResultsA total of 36 patients were included. The mean age was 50.6 (16.7) years, and 20 (55.6%) were female. Eighteen (50%) patients were seropositive, of which 11 (30.5%) presented one positive antibody, with anti-TIF1ɣbeing the most frequent (n = 4, 11.1%), followed by anti-Ro52 (n = 2, 5.6%). Seven patients (19.4%) showed >1 positive antibody. Dermatomyositis was the most frequent type of IIM in seropositive patients (n = 8, 44.4%), followed by anti-synthetase syndrome (n = 4, 22.2%). Weakness was symmetric and presented in the upper and lower extremities in 11 (61.1%) patients each. Both respiratory insufficiency and weight loss were seen in 7 (38.9%) patients, Gottron papules in six (33.3%) patients, and heliotrope rash, esophageal dysmotility, and myalgia in 5 (27.8%) patients. Pulmonary interstitial disease was seen in 4 (22.2%, with antibodies for anti-Ro52, anti-MDA5 + anti-Jo1 + anti-TIF1ɣ, anti-MDA5 + anti-SAE1 + anti-NXP2, and anti-cN1A + anti-Ro52) patients, and malignancy was seen in 2 (11.1%) patients (1 with anti-Mi2β and 1 with anti-TIF1ɣ + anti-Mi2α). In all, 7 (19.4%) patients required intensive care (2 seropositive, 1 with anti-PL7, 1 with anti-MDA5 + anti-Jo1 + anti-TIF1ɣ), and 1 (2.8%) (seronegative) patient died.ConclusionThis study is the first study in the Southwest of Colombia that evaluates myositis-specific/associated antibodies in IIM. Half of the patients were seropositive. Anti-TIF1ɣwas the most frequent MSA and anti-Ro52 was the most frequent MAA. Several patients presented antibody combinations. Further studies are needed to fully associate phenotypes with antibodies.

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La coagulación intravascular diseminada es un proceso sistémico caracterizado por la activación generalizada de la coagulación, que tiene el potencial de causar trombosis vascular, hemorragia y falla orgánica. En raras ocasiones, las anomalías vasculares, como el aneurisma aórtico abdominal, pueden desencadenar coagulación intravascular diseminada crónica. Los aneurismas aórticos grandes, su disección y su expansión son factores de riesgo. En estos casos predominan los síntomas subclínicos y la coagulopatía solo se identifica mediante pruebas de laboratorio. Existe evidencia limitada basada en la experiencia de series de casos de coagulación intravascular diseminada crónica como complicación en pacientes con aneurisma aórtico abdominal. Además, la duración y la respuesta terapéutica a la heparina no se conocen bien, principalmente en los pacientes con manejo conservador. Se considera un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico debido a la baja frecuencia de presentación. A continuación, se describen las características clínicas y paraclínicas, así como el tratamiento, de un paciente con aneurisma aórtico abdominal asociado con coagulación intravascular diseminada crónica.