1.Effects of rituximab on lymphocytes and immunoglobulin in the treatment of glomerular disease
Li LIN ; Hong REN ; Jingyuan XIE ; Weiming WANG ; Pingyan SHEN ; Xiao LI ; Xiaofan HU ; Yifan SHI ; Yinhong JI ; Nan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2021;37(2):81-86
Objective:To investigate the effects of rituximab on lymphocytes and immunoglobulin in the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD).Methods:The subjects were FSGS and MCD patients admitted to Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University on July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2019. All the enrolled patients were confirmed by clinical examination and renal biopsy, and received rituximab treatment (4 infusions of 375 mg/m 2 with the interval of 7-14 d). The levels of immunoglobulin IgA, IgG, IgM, and lymphocytes of CD19 +, CD20 +, CD3 +, CD3 +CD4 +, CD3 +CD8 + and natural killer cells (CD56 +CD16 +) were compared between baseline and the third month, the sixth month, the ninth month and the twelfth month after treatment. Results:Ninety-six patients with FSGS or MCD were enrolled in this study. The midian age was 28 years old (14-77 years old). The ratio of men to woman was 1.8∶1. There were 65 cases of MCD and 31 cases of FSGS. After rituximab treatment, the 24 h-proteinuria was significantly lower than that before treatment, and the serum albumin level was increased (both P<0.05). After rituximab treatment of 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months, CD19 + and CD20 + lymphocyte counts were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), and gradually recovered after 6 months. Compared with baseline, at 3, 6, 9, 12 months after rituximab treatment, the level of blood IgG was significantly increased ( P=0.004,<0.001,<0.001,<0.001, respectively), and the level of blood IgM was significantly decreased ( P<0.001, =0.008, =0.005,<0.001, respectively) but the median level still within the normal range (400-3 450 mg/L). The level of blood IgA was not significantly changed (all P<0.05). T lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD3 +CD4 + and CD3 +CD8 +) and natural killer cells (CD56 +CD16 +) showed no significant difference from baseline (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Rituximab can effectively eliminate CD19 + and CD20 + lymphocytes, and has little influence on peripheral blood lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin level except CD19 + and CD20 + lymphocytes. The standard administration of rituximab is safe for patients with FSGS and MCD.
2.Spontaneous spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case report and literature review
Wei LI ; Shiguang WEN ; Fusui JI ; Min CHEN ; Jingying YU ; Yan GAO ; Yinhong LIU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2018;37(11):1234-1237
Objective To investigate the clinical,laboratory and MRI imaging features of a spontaneous spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage(S-SAH)so as to improve the recognition of spontaneous (S-SAH).Methods The data of clinical,laboratory,MRI imaging features,treatment and prognosis of the spontaneous(S-SAH)were collected and statistically analyzed.Relevant literatures were then reviewed.Results The patient was a 75-year-old woman with neuromyelitisoptica spectrum disorders.During the course of hospitalization for intravenous infusion of high-dose methylprednisolone,the patient suffered from a sudden and severe migrating back pain that gradually progressed from the back to the neck and head,and signs of meningeal irritation occurred.After the exclusion of aortic dissection,acute coronary syndrome,pulmonary embolism,and fractures,further MRI scans of the head and spinal cord were performed.The MRI confirmed subarachnoid hemorrhage located in spinal cord and posterior cranial foss,and the diagnosis was spontaneous S-SAH.Conclusions Migrating back pain combined with signs of meningeal irritation is a characteristic clinical manifestation of S-SAH,and a prompt MRI evaluation of spinal cord is helpful to improve the early diagnosis and treatment.