Marlous L Grijsen, Thuan H Nguyen, Roberta Olmo Pinheiro, Pushpendra Singh, Saba M Lambert, Stephen L Walker, Annemieke Geluk
{"title":"Leprosy.","authors":"Marlous L Grijsen, Thuan H Nguyen, Roberta Olmo Pinheiro, Pushpendra Singh, Saba M Lambert, Stephen L Walker, Annemieke Geluk","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00575-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41572-024-00575-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, causes significant morbidity in marginalized communities. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual new case detection plateaued for over a decade at ~200,000 new cases. The clinical phenotypes of leprosy strongly parallel host immunity to its causative agents Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The resulting spectrum spans from paucibacillary leprosy, characterized by vigorous pro-inflammatory immunity with few bacteria, to multibacillary leprosy, harbouring large numbers of bacteria with high levels of seemingly non-protective, anti-M. leprae antibodies. Leprosy diagnosis remains clinical, leaving asymptomatic individuals with infection undetected. Antimicrobial treatment is effective with recommended multidrug therapy for 6 months for paucibacillary leprosy and 12 months for multibacillary leprosy. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 6 years, although longer periods have been described. Given this lengthy incubation period and dwindling clinical expertise, there is an urgent need to create innovative, low-complexity diagnostic tools for detection of M. leprae infection. Such advancements are vital for enabling swift therapeutic and preventive interventions, ultimately transforming patient outcomes. National health-care programmes should prioritize early case detection and consider post-exposure prophylaxis for individuals in close contact with affected persons. These measures will help interrupt transmission, prevent disease progression, and mitigate the risk of nerve damage and disabilities to achieve the WHO goal 'Towards Zero Leprosy' and reduce the burden of leprosy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"10 1","pages":"90"},"PeriodicalIF":76.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142751204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ivo de Blaauw, Pernilla Stenström, Atsuyuki Yamataka, Yuichiro Miyake, Heiko Reutter, Paola Midrio, Richard Wood, Caterina Grano, Mikko Pakarinen
{"title":"Anorectal malformations.","authors":"Ivo de Blaauw, Pernilla Stenström, Atsuyuki Yamataka, Yuichiro Miyake, Heiko Reutter, Paola Midrio, Richard Wood, Caterina Grano, Mikko Pakarinen","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00574-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41572-024-00574-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anorectal malformations (ARM) are rare congenital anomalies with an overall prevalence of 3.32 per 10,000 pregnancies. ARM describe a spectrum of anomalies of the anus and rectum ranging from a minimally displaced anal canal to a complete fusion of the anorectum, vagina and urethra with hypoplastic sphincter and pelvic floor muscle. Aberrant septation of the hindgut with anomalous cloacal membrane during weeks 6 to 9 of gestation form the developmental basis for a spectrum of anomalies defined as ARM. Although underlying specific syndromes and occasional familiar occurrence suggest genetic aetiology, most ARM are non-syndromic and their causal genetic mechanisms and non-genetic insults remain unclear. ARM is a clinical diagnosis, generally made early after birth via careful inspection of the perineum. Prenatal detection remains rare, and modern technical developments have added little to prenatal diagnostics. ARM is corrected surgically. Since its introduction in 1982, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is the most common surgery for ARM reconstruction. Subsequent surgical adaptations focus on minimizing iatrogenic operative injury by limiting surgical invasiveness. They include laparoscopic procedures and shortening of incisions with confined dissection in open surgery. Although outcomes in patients with ARM have evolved throughout the past decades, there is urgent need for further improvements both in functional outcomes and quality of life. The importance of psychosocial experiences of affected patients is increasingly recognized. Continued research is necessary to improve prenatal detection, to elucidate genetic and epigenetic alterations and to refine optimal surgical procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"10 1","pages":"88"},"PeriodicalIF":76.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142687518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systemic capillary leak syndrome.","authors":"Kirk M Druey, Laurent Arnaud, Samir M Parikh","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00571-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41572-024-00571-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The vascular endothelial barrier maintains intravascular volume and metabolic homeostasis. Although plasma fluids and proteins extravasate continuously from tissue microvasculature (capillaries, post-capillary venules), systemic vascular leakage increases in critical illness associated with sepsis, burns and trauma, among others, or in association with certain drugs or toxin exposures. Systemically dysregulated fluid homeostasis, which can lead to hypovolaemia, hypotensive shock and widespread tissue oedema, has been termed systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) when overt secondary causes (for example, heart or liver failure) are excluded. In severe forms, SCLS is complicated by compartment syndrome in the extremities and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome due to shock and systemic hypoperfusion. The different forms of SCLS include idiopathic SCLS (ISCLS) and secondary SCLS (SSCLS), which can be triggered by several conditions, including certain infections and haematological malignancies. A subgroup of patients with ISCLS have monoclonal gammopathy-associated SCLS (also known as Clarkson disease), which is an ultra-rare and extreme form of ISCLS. ISCLS can be managed effectively with monthly prophylactic immunoglobulin therapy whereas SSCLS frequently does not recur once the underlying condition resolves or the offending agent is discontinued. Thus, differentiation between ISCLS, SSCLS and other causes of oedema is crucial for quick diagnosis and positive patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"10 1","pages":"86"},"PeriodicalIF":76.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142623911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wendy A Gold, Alan K Percy, Jeffrey L Neul, Stuart R Cobb, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Jasmeen K Issar, Bruria Ben-Zeev, Aglaia Vignoli, Walter E Kaufmann
{"title":"Rett syndrome.","authors":"Wendy A Gold, Alan K Percy, Jeffrey L Neul, Stuart R Cobb, Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Jasmeen K Issar, Bruria Ben-Zeev, Aglaia Vignoli, Walter E Kaufmann","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00568-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41572-024-00568-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe, progressive, neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects predominantly females. In most cases, RTT is associated with pathogenic variants in MECP2. MeCP2, the protein product of MECP2, is known to regulate gene expression and is highly expressed in the brain. RTT is characterized by developmental regression of spoken language and hand use that, with hand stereotypies and impaired ambulation, constitute the four core diagnostic features. Affected individuals may present multiple other neurological impairments and comorbidities, such as seizures, breathing irregularities, anxiety and constipation. Studies employing neuroimaging, neuropathology, neurochemistry and animal models show reductions in brain size and global decreases in neuronal size, as well as alterations in multiple neurotransmitter systems. Management of RTT is mainly focused on preventing the progression of symptoms, currently improved by guidelines based on natural history studies. Animal and cellular models of MeCP2 deficiency have helped in understanding the pathophysiology of RTT and guided the development of trofinetide, an IGF1-related compound, which is an approved drug for RTT, as well as of other drugs and gene therapies currently under investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"10 1","pages":"84"},"PeriodicalIF":76.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142604792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marc Michel, Etienne Crickx, Bruno Fattizzo, Wilma Barcellini
{"title":"Autoimmune haemolytic anaemias.","authors":"Marc Michel, Etienne Crickx, Bruno Fattizzo, Wilma Barcellini","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00566-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41572-024-00566-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adult autoimmune haemolytic anaemias (AIHAs) include different subtypes of a rare autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies targeting autoantigens expressed on the membrane of autologous red blood cells (RBCs) are produced, leading to their accelerated destruction. In the presence of haemolytic anaemia, the direct antiglobulin test is the cornerstone of AIHA diagnosis. AIHAs are classified according to the isotype and the thermal optimum of the autoantibody into warm (wAIHAs), cold and mixed AIHAs. wAIHAs, the most frequent type of AIHAs, are associated with underlying conditions in ~50% of cases. In wAIHA, IgG autoantibody reacts with autologous RBCs at 37 °C, leading to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and increased phagocytosis of RBCs in the spleen. Cold AIHAs include cold agglutinin disease (CAD) and cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) when there is an underlying condition. CAD and cold agglutinin syndrome are IgM cold antibody-driven AIHAs characterized by classical complement pathway-mediated haemolysis. The management of wAIHAs has long been based around corticosteroids and splenectomy and on symptomatic measures and non-specific cytotoxic agents for CAD. Rituximab and the development of complement inhibitors, such as the anti-C1s antibody sutimlimab, have changed the therapeutic landscape of AIHAs, and new promising targeted therapies are under investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"10 1","pages":"82"},"PeriodicalIF":76.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142564738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}