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The increase in viral epidemics leading to arthritis is evident. In his Viewpoint, Dr Calabrese discusses the role of the rheumatologist in the evaluation of ill travelers returning from exotic lands.
For patients with osteoarthritis, considerable changes occur before they can be visualised by plain radiography. MRI has been invaluable in improving our understanding of early joint changes, as is discussed in this Viewpoint.
Traditional management of osteoporosis has focused on a pharmacologic approach to treatment; however, for reasons such as potential adverse effects, some patients will not comply with medication regimens. This Review highlights the increasing evidence that valuable protection from fractures can also be derived from nonpharmacologic approaches.
Although musculoskeletal problems are common, the musculoskeletal system is seldom appropriately assessed in everyday clinical practice. The authors of this article aim to provide a standardized approach to the clinical assessment of musculoskeletal problems, with an emphasis on history and examination. Teaching and assessment of clinical skills are also considered.
Inflammasomes—large, intracellular complexes—receive input from Toll-like receptors and Nod-like receptors, and function to detect and respond to pathogens and genotoxic stress by processing pro-interleukin-1β to its active form. As well as providing an overview of inflammasomes, this article highlights some of the consequences of mutations in inflammasome components and aberrant processing of interleukin-1β.
Immunological memory is the ability of an animal to make a second, more effective, immune response to an antigen that has been encountered previously. In this Review, Professor Beverley discusses how T-cell memory is generated and maintained, and highlights the heterogeneity of T-cell memory populations in terms of their kinetics, homing and function.
Erdheim–Chester disease is a rare form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by foamy histiocyte infiltration of the skeleton and viscera. A case of Erdheim–Chester disease that was initially mistaken for Ormond's disease is presented with a discussion of the tests required to differentiate between the two diagnoses.
