mycophenolic-acid and Scleroderma--Limited

A scleroderma-like cutaneous syndrome, occurring after implantation of a prosthetic knee joint in an elderly woman, is reported. This case did not seem to typically fit into any of the known scleroderma-like disorders of the skin described to date. The patient was shown to be sensitized to metals contained in the prosthesis and to mount a Th2-type immune response concomitantly with development of skin fibrosis. In particular, eosinophilia, markedly elevated serum IgE levels, in vitro spontaneous production of interleukin (IL)-4 by T lymphocytes, and elevated serum levels of Th2 cytokines (namely, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) were observed during the acute phase of illness. Since eosinophils and such Th2 cytokines as IL-13 also have recognized fibrogenic properties, it is speculated that the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in this case could have been the direct and/or indirect consequence of the coexisting Th2-type immune response.

Topics: Aged; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Cobalt; Cytokines; Eosinophilia; Erythema; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Immunosuppressive Agents; Knee Prosthesis; Mycophenolic Acid; Pregnenediones; Scleroderma, Limited; Syndrome