Objective The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and to elucidate their associations with clinical features in Chinese dermatomyositis (DM) patients. Methods Four hundreds and twenty-seven DM patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical features and sera were collected. Twelve subtypes of MSAs were detected by commercial test kits. The correlations between MSAs and clinical phenotypes in DM patients were calculated by t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. In order to clarify whether MSAs subsets would be independent factors of certain clinical feature or not, separate models were established to test the correlation via the Logistic regression analysis. Results The positivity of MSAs was 69.8% in 427 patients with DM. Anti-ARS, anti-MDA5 and anti-TIF1-γ antibodies were the three most common MSAs in the DM patients with positivity of 19.9%, 17.6%and 17.1% respectively. Different kinds of rash associated with MSAs subtypes by χ2 test. Certain MSAs subtype might be an independent factor for clinical features via logistic regression analysis. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was observed more frequently in patients carrying anti-MDA5 [OR=5.266, 95%CI (2.522, 10.996), P<0.01] and anti-Jo-1 [OR=6.232, 95%CI (1.674, 23.199), P=0.006]. On the contrary, anti-Mi2 [OR=0.208, 95%CI (0.074, 0.580, P=0.003] and anti-TIF1-γ [OR=0.189, 95%CI (0.096, 0.370), P<0.01] were protective factors against developing ILD. Anti-TIF1-γ was an independent risk factor for cancer-associated myositis [OR=5.907, 95%CI (2.868, 12.168), P<0.01]. Anti-TIF1-γ[OR=2.789, 95%CI (1.594, 4.880) P<0.01], anti-NXP2 [OR=2.983, 95%CI (1.274, 6.982), P=0.012] and anti-SAE1 [OR=4.815, 95%CI (1.082, 21.424), P=0.039] could worsen dysphagic tendencies. In contrast, anti-MDA5 [OR=0.349, 95%CI (0.169, 0.720), P=0.004] might decrease the prevalence of this manifestation. Conclusion Patients with DM have a high frequency of MSAs. Some subtypes of MSAs are correlated with and may be independent factors of different clinical phenotypes. These indicated that MSAs can be useful biomarkers in monitoring the extramuscular features in DM patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with dermatomyositis associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5-DM).Methods:A total of 55 patients with MDA5-DM were analyzed. Patients were divided into IPA (+) group (14 cases) and IPA (-) group (41 cases) based on the presence of IPA. Microbiological examination and clinical data were analyzed. Risk factor analysis was performed using Binary Logistic regression, and survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Aspergillus flavus (5/14, 35.7%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (4/14, 28.6%) were the most common species in MDA5-DM patients with IPA. Compared to the IPA (-) group, IPA (+) group had higher serum level of α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (246 U/L vs. 191 U/L, Z=-2.02, P=0.043) and ferritin [1 306.7(518.7, 2 977.8)ng/ml vs. 472.6(269.0, 792.1)ng/ml, Z=-2.09, P=0.036], lower CD8 + T lymphocyte counts {[111.5 (68.3, 214.0)]×10 6/L vs. [188.0(141.0, 270.0)]×10 6/L, Z=-2.18, P=0.029}, and more positive BALF GM tests [70.0%(7/10) vs. 18.9%(7/37), χ2=9.82, P=0.004]. Elevated serum ferritin was found to be an independent risk factor for IPA occurrence [adjusted OR (95% CI)=1.001 (1.000, 1.002), P=0.031)]. In addition, the 6-month cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in the IPA (+) group than in the IPA (-) group (78.6% vs. 97.6%, P=0.021). Conclusion:The mortality of MDA5-DM patients is increased after IPA infection. Elevated serum ferritin is an independent risk factor for IPA occurrence, and active prevention and treatment of IPA are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis process and treatment experience of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with heparin resistance (HR).Methods:The medical team of the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang admitted 2 severe COVID-19 patients with HR in intensive care unit (ICU) during their support to the designated hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in Lianyungang City in November 2021. The clinical features, laboratory examinations, imaging features, treatment and prognosis of the two patients were analyzed.Results:Both severe COVID-19 patients received mechanical ventilation, 1 patient was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Both patients were complicated with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and HR phenomenon under routine dose anticoagulant therapy. The maximum daily dose of unfractionated heparin exceeded 35 000 U (up to 43 200 U), the 2 patients failed to meet the standard of anticoagulation treatment, and the course of disease was prolonged. After that, argatroban was given 0.4 μg·kg -1·min -1 combined with anticoagulant therapy, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of patients undergoing ECMO could be maintained at 55-60 seconds and the activated coagulation time (ACT) of them could be maintained at 180-200 seconds. After ECMO support or later sequential mechanical ventilation, both patients recovered and were discharged, and deep venous thrombosis was also effectively controlled. Conclusion:HR phenomenon often occurs during the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients, the anticoagulation regimen should be adjusted in time, and the anticoagulation effect combined with argatroban is clear.