This book discusses the role of the microbiome in rheumatic diseases and details its implications for patient treatment. Recently, with technological advances, there has been significant research into the microbiome. This has enabled us to more profoundly understand its role in our immune system maturation as well as the role played by microorganisms in autoimmunity and the deeply related rheumatic diseases. This book comprehensively explains the emerging microbiome research through the interrelationships of biomedical sciences, including: immunology, microbiology, bioinformatics, and, with special emphasis, the clinical aspect of rheumatology. It examines the interplay between infectious organisms and major autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis, and explains how to apply that knowledge to diagnostic techniques and treatment decisions. The international team of expert authors provides insight into current therapies and future interventions specifically targeting the microbiota and explores the impact of our deeper understanding on enhancing personalized medicine. The Microbiome in Rheumatic Diseases and Infection is an essential resource for rheumatologists, pediatricians, internists, microbiologists, and critical care providers caring for children and adults with rheumatic diseases.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the basic and clinical aspects of infections and infectious processes that trigger or aggravate a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. It delivers a timely update on the interactions between infection and rheumatic diseases in order to provide clinicians with the tools they need for proper diagnosis and treatment. The book is divided into five main sections. The first examines the basic aspects of bacterial infections with a discussion of molecular biology, the microbiome, various types of bacteria that cause infection, and recent advances in biologic therapy. The next section focuses on different forms of viral arthritis including hepatitis arthritis, arthritis associated with alpha viruses, and parvovirus-related arthritis. Subsequent chapters then discuss arthritis caused by mycobacteria, fungi, spirochete, and other miscellaneous arthritides. Following this are various analyzations on reactive arthritis and infection-related rheumatic diseases such as Whipple’s Disease, SAPHO Syndrome, rheumatic fever, and HIV-associated rheumatic manifestations. Finally, the book closes with three chapters on external impacts on infectious diseases such as climate change, vaccinations and systemic lupus erythematosus. Infections and the Rheumatic Diseases is an essential resource for physicians and related professionals, residents, fellows, graduate students, and nurses in rheumatology, clinical immunology, and internal medicine.

In this first-of-its-kind issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics, guest editor Dr. Bryant R. England brings his considerable expertise to the topic of Environmental Triggers for Rheumatic Diseases. In practical, state-of-the-art articles, top experts examine the connection between some of the most commonly seen rheumatic disease and environmental triggers for the disease. Contains 13 practice-oriented topics including inhalant and mucosal-related environmental risks for rheumatoid arthritis; lifestyle, hormonal, and microbial-related environmental risks for rheumatoid arthritis; environmental risks for systemic lupus erythematosus; environmental risks for osteoarthritis; targeting environmental risks to prevent rheumatic diseases; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on environmental triggers for rheumatic diseases, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

This is the most comprehensive review of the idiotypic network available. All the current knowledge of idiotypes of the various antibodies is incorporated in this volume. The pathogenic role of idiotypes in autoimmunity and cancer is reviewed in depth. The therapeutic part focusses on harnessing anti-idiotypes for treating autoimmunological disorders, and on the employment of idiotypes for vaccines in cancer and infectious diseases, as well as explaining the manipulation of the idiotypic network in autoimmunity and cancer idiotypes and vaccines.

There are millions of people who experience issues related to brain health—depression, attention issues, anxiety, forgetfulness, fatigue, and even chronic pain—yet can’t figure out what’s causing their problems and can’t find any relief. They may have seen a myriad of doctors, many of whom do not take their complaints seriously, or worse, turn to the easy, often inappropriate fix of antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Traditional medications, supplements, or other therapies haven’t worked. No matter what their age—from children to teens or seniors—people and their loved ones are frustrated, scared, and confused by their continued poor health. Countless others display severe psychiatric symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere, ranging from tics, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety, to depression, bipolar-like mood swings, and even borderline personality disorder and suicidal ideas. Sometimes, the people affected are the only ones that notices a change to the way they think or feel, and they suffer in silence. Or, they reach out to try to get help, and are all too frequently misdiagnosed. David Younger, a world-renowned physician, provides relief to these patients and their families. His diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols will help readers identify the true cause of their symptoms and put them on a clear path to healing so they no longer feel unbalanced, out of control, forgetful, and exhausted. The Autoimmune Brain connects common brain health symptoms to the changes in the immune system, and particularly bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Younger explains his groundbreaking research and adds a new component: how traumatic stress (whether physical or emotional) and genetics affects this same triad as inextricable factors in initiating disease and brain health symptoms. In fact, a change in personality, behavior, coping style, and one’s emotional state may be the first clue that there is a health problem brewing somewhere else in the body. Readers will find new answers to troubling conditions, including: Alzheimer’s disease; Anxiety; Arthritis; Autism; Autonomic disturbances; Bacterial and viral infections; Bipolar Disorder; Cancer; Celiac disease and gluten intolerances; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (now referred to as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease); Chronic Pain; Dementia; Depression; Endocrine Disorders; Immune modulatory therapy using IVIg; Lyme disease and co-infections; Mast cell activation syndrome; Medical cannabis; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Orthostatic hypotension; Peripheral Neuropathy; Porphyria; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and Postural orthostatic tachycardia.