Dal networking ai risultati: gli studi collaborativi con i centri Italiani e Internazionali

(2023-2024)

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Safety of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity: an Italian Multicentric Study.

Little is known about vaccine safety in inborn errors of immunity (IEI) patients during the current vaccination campaign for COVID-19. To better investigate the reactogenicity and adverse event profile after two, three, and four doses of mRNA vaccines, we conducted an observational, multicentric study on 342 PID patients from four Italian Referral Centres. We conducted a survey on self-reported adverse reactions in IEI patients who received mRNA vaccine by administering a questionnaire after each dose.

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Functional CVIDs phenotype clusters identified by the integration of immune parameters after BNT162b2 boosters.

Assessing the response to vaccinations is one of the diagnostic criteria for Common Variable Immune Deficiencies (CVIDs). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 offered the unique opportunity to analyze the immune response to a novel antigen. We identify four CVIDs phenotype clusters by the integration of immune parameters after BTN162b2 boosters. We performed a longitudinal study on 47 CVIDs patients who received the 3rd and 4th vaccine dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine measuring the generation of immunological memory. We analyzed specific and neutralizing antibodies, spike-specific memory B cells, and functional T cells. We found that, depending on the readout of vaccine efficacy, the frequency of responders changes. Although 63.8% of the patients have specific antibodies in the serum, only 30% have high-affinity specific memory B cells and generate recall responses.

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COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity Reduces Hospitalization and Critical Care Needs Related to COVID-19: a USIDNET Report.

The CDC and ACIP recommend COVID-19 vaccination for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Not much is known about vaccine safety in IEI, and whether vaccination attenuates infection severity in IEI. To estimate COVID-19 vaccination safety and examine effect on outcomes in patients with IEI. We built a secure registry database in conjunction with the US Immunodeficiency Network to examine vaccination frequency and indicators of safety and effectiveness in IEI patients. The registry opened on January 1, 2022, and closed on August 19, 2022.

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Rare predicted loss-of-function variants of type I IFN immunity genes are associated with life-threatening COVID-19

We previously reported that impaired type I IFN activity, due to inborn errors of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I interferon (IFN) immunity or to autoantibodies against type I IFN, account for 15–20% of cases of life-threatening COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients. Therefore, the determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 remain to be identified in ~ 80% of cases. We report here a genome-wide rare variant burden association analysis in 3269 unvaccinated patients with life-threatening COVID-19, and 1373 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals without pneumonia. Among the 928 patients tested for autoantibodies against type I IFN, a quarter (234) were positive and were excluded. 

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The GAIN Registry - a New Prospective Study for Patients with Multi-organ Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation.

Patient registries are a very important and essential tool for investigating rare diseases, as most physicians only see a limited number of cases during their career. Diseases of multi-organ autoimmunity and autoinflammation are especially challenging, as they are characterized by diverse clinical phenotypes and highly variable expressivity. The GAIN consortium (German multi-organ Auto Immunity Network) developed a dataset addressing these challenges. ICD-11, HPO, and ATC codes were incorporated to document various clinical manifestations and medications with a defined terminology. The GAIN dataset comprises detailed information on genetics, phenotypes, medication, and laboratory values. Between November 2019 and July 2022, twelve centers from Europe have registered 419 patients with multi-organ autoimmunity or autoinflammation.

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Collapsing Glomerulopathy as a Complication of Type I Interferon-Mediated Glomerulopathy in a Patient With RNASEH2B-Related Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a well-characterized monogenic type I interferonopathy presenting with prominent neurologic manifestations. Among extraneurologic features, renal involvement has been described in only 1 patient with an IFIH1 mutation in whom membranous nephropathy developed. The pathogenic role of augmented interferon (IFN) signaling in tissues other than the central nervous system remains to be elucidated. We report a case of collapsing glomerulopathy in a 15-year-old girl affected by AGS with RNASEH2B mutation (an alanine-to-threonine change at amino acid 177), which led to kidney failure.

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STAT3-confusion-of-function: Beyond the loss and gain dualism

Germline mutations of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are responsible for 2 distinct human diseases: autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) caused by STAT3 loss-of-function mutations and STAT3 gain-of-function disease. So far, these entities have been regarded as antithetic, with AD-HIES mainly associated with characteristic infections and a connective tissue phenotype and STAT3 gain-of-function characterized by lymphoproliferation and poly-autoimmunity. The R335W substitution in the DNA-binding domain of STAT3 was initially described in 2 patients with typical AD-HIES, but paradoxically, recent functional analysis demonstrated a gain-of-function effect of this variant. A patient with Sjögren syndrome and features of AD-HIES with this mutation is described and the molecular consequences are further characterized.

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Differential Expression of Interferon-Alpha Protein Provides Clues to Tissue Specificity Across Type I Interferonopathies.

Whilst upregulation of type I interferon (IFN) signaling is common across the type I interferonopathies (T1Is), central nervous system (CNS) involvement varies between these disorders, the basis of which remains unclear. We collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), presumed monogenic T1Is (pT1I), childhood systemic lupus erythematosus with neuropsychiatric features (nSLE), non-IFN-related autoinflammation (AI) and non-inflammatory hydrocephalus (as controls). We measured IFN-alpha protein using digital ELISA. Eighty-two and 63 measurements were recorded respectively in CSF and serum of 42 patients and 6 controls.

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Common and Uncommon CT Findings in CVID-Related GL-ILD: Correlations with Clinical Parameters, Therapeutic Decisions and Potential Implications in the Differential Diagnosis

To investigate computed tomography (CT) findings of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GL-ILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), also in comparison with non-GL-ILD abnormalities, correlating GL-ILD features with functional/immunological parameters and looking for GL-ILD therapy predictive elements. CT features of 38 GL-ILD and 38 matched non-GL-ILD subjects were retrospectively described. Correlations of GL-ILD features with functional/immunological features were assessed. A logistic regression was performed to find a predictive model of GL-ILD therapeutic decisions.

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Risk of thyroid neoplasms in patients with 22q11.2 deletion and DiGeorge-like syndromes: an insight for follow-up

The chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome comprises phenotypically similar diseases characterized by abnormal development of the third and fourth branchial arches, resulting in variable combinations of congenital heart defects, dysmorphisms, hypocalcemia, palatal dysfunction, developmental or neuropsychiatric disorders, and impairment of the immune system due to thymic dysfunction. Other genetic syndromes, often called DiGeorge-like, share clinical and immunological features with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. This syndrome has been rarely associated with malignancies, mainly hematological but also hepatic, renal, and cerebral. Rarely, malignancies in the head and neck region have been described, although no aggregate of data on the development of thyroid neoplasms in patients with this clinical phenotype has been conducted so far. To characterize this possible association, a multicenter survey was made. Thus, we present a case series of five pediatric patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or DiGeorge-like syndrome who were occasionally found with confirmed or highly suspected neoplasms of the thyroid gland during their follow-up.

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Expanded Newborn Screening for Inborn Errors of Immunity: The Experience of Tuscany

Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) include 485 inherited disorders characterized by an increased susceptibility to life-threatening infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and malignant diseases with a high mortality rate in the first years of life. Severe combined immunodeficiency is the most severe of the IEIs, and its detection should be a primary goal in a newborn screening (NBS) program. The term "actionable" has recently been used for all IEIs with outcomes that can be demonstrably improved through early specialized intervention. This is a retrospective study collecting data from all infants born in Tuscany from October 10, 2018, to October 10, 2022. Tandem mass assay to identify adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency, together with T-cell receptor excision circle and kappa recombining excision circle molecular analysis, was conducted on dried blood spot from the newborns' Guthrie Cards. A new dried blood spot and evaluation by an immunologist were carried out when the results of the first test were outside the diagnostic cutoffs.

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Struggling with COVID-19 in Adult Inborn Errors of ImmunityPatients: A Case Series of Combination Therapy and MultipleLines of Therapy for Selected Patients

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infection is now a part of the everyday lives of immunocom promised patients, but the choice of treatment and the time of viral clearance can often be complex, exposing patients to possible complications. The role of the available antiviral and monoclonal therapies is a matter of debate, as are their effectiveness and potential related adverse effects. To date, in the literature, the amount of data on the use of combination therapies and on the multiple lines of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy available to the general population and especially to inborn error of immunity (IEI) patients is small. Methods: Here, we report a case series of five adult IEI patients managed as inpatients at three Italian IEI referral centers (Rome, Treviso, and Cagliari) treated with combination therapy or multiple therapeutic lines for SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antivirals, convalescent plasma (CP), mAbs plus antiviral, and CP combined with antiviral.

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High Prevalence of Long COVID in Common Variable Immunodefciency: An Italian Multicentric Study

The long-term efects of SARS-CoV-2 infection represent a relevant global health problem. Long COVID (LC) is defned as a complex of signs and symptoms developed during or after SARS-CoV-2 infection and lasting>12 weeks. In common variable immunodefciency (CVID) patients, we previously reported higher risk of hospitalization and death during SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as prolonged swab positivity and frequent reinfections. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of LC in an Italian cohort of CVID patients.

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The Evolutionary Scenario of Pediatric Unclassified Primary Antibody Deficiency to Adulthood

Unclassified primary antibody deficiency (unPAD) is a relatively novel inborn error of immunity (IEI) condition that can vary with time to more defined entities. Since long-term follow-up (FU) studies are scarce, we aimed to provide insight into the evolutionary clinical and immunological scenario of unPAD children to adulthood and identification of biomarkers of primary immune deficiency (PID) persistence.

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Human germline heterozygous gain-of-function STAT6 variants cause severe allergic disease

STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in the pathophysiology of allergic inflammation. We have identified 16 patients from 10 families spanning three continents with a profound phenotype of early-life onset allergic immune dysregulation, widespread treatment-resistant atopic dermatitis, hypereosinophilia with esosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, asthma, elevated serum IgE, IgE-mediated food allergies, and anaphylaxis.

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The Clinical Course of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients With Autoimmune Neutropenia: A Retrospective Case Series Study

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in children with autoimmune neutropenia may be a cause for concern. In this retrospective study, none of the 24 autoimmune neutropenia cases manifested severe coronavirus disease 2019. We found a significant improvement in neutrophils and a reduction in lymphocytes at post-infection follow-up compared with the median of previous values. We speculate that this paradoxical effect may be due to postinfection immunological phenomena.

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Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome: Update from the ESID Registry and comparison with other autoimmune-lymphoproliferative inborn errors of immunity

Activated phosphoinositide-3-kinase δ syndrome (APDS) is an inborn error of immunity (IEI) with infection susceptibility and immune dysregulation, clinically overlapping with other conditions. Management depends on disease evolution, but predictors of severe disease are lacking. This study sought to report the extended spectrum of disease manifestations in APDS1 versus APDS2; compare these to CTLA4 deficiency, NFKB1 deficiency, and STAT3 gain-of-function (GOF) disease; and identify predictors of severity in APDS. Data was collected from the ESID (European Society for Immunodeficiencies)-APDS registry and was compared with published cohorts of the other IEIs.

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Long-term and real-world safety and efficacy of retroviral gene therapy for adenosine deaminase deficiency

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency leads to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Previous clinical trials showed that autologous CD34+ cell gene therapy (GT) following busulfan reduced-intensity conditioning is a promising therapeutic approach for ADA-SCID, but long-term data are warranted. Here we report an analysis on long-term safety and efficacy data of 43 patients with ADA-SCID who received retroviral ex vivo bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cell GT.

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Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome: A study on 577 patients defining the genotype as a predictive biomarker for disease severity

WAS is a multifaceted monogenic disorder with a broad disease spectrum and variable disease severity and a variety of treatment options including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and gene therapy (GT). No reliable biomarker exists to predict disease course and outcome for individual patients. A total of 577 patients with a WAS variant from 26 countries and a median follow-up of 8.9 years (0.3-71.1), totaling 6118 patient-years, were included in this international retrospective study.

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SARS-CoV-2 pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442) provides protection in inborn errors of immunity with antibody defects: a real-world experience

Preventive strategies against severe COVID-19 in Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) include bivalent vaccines, treatment with SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), early antiviral therapies, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). To assess the effectiveness of the PrEP with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442) in IEI with primary antibody defects during the COVID-19 Omicron wave we performed a six-month prospective study evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and the COVID-19 severity in the AZD7442 group, in the no-AZD7442 group, and in a group of patients with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection (< three months). Spike-specific IgG levels were measured at regular intervals.

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