Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes may cause ocular sarcoidosis, as researchers have detected high levels of the pathogen in retinal granulomas of patients with the condition. These findings suggest that new therapies for the disease may include antibiotics targeting the infection. The study, “Immunohistochemical Detection of Propionibacterium acnes in the…

Ohio State University researchers have launched a clinical trial to investigate whether nicotine patches can help treat patients with sarcoidosis. The study (NCT02265874), a collaboration between the university and the Cleveland Clinic, currently is recruiting participants. Smokers who want to quit often use nicotine patches, which slowly release nicotine…

Japan’s aging population may explain why researchers there are finding lower rates of spontaneous resolution of pulmonary sarcoidosis, according to a study published in the journal Respirology. The study is titled, “Resolution rate of pulmonary sarcoidosis and its related…

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy, alone or combined with infliximab, may significantly ease symptoms of sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy (SSFN), according to a retrospective analysis study. The report, “Sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy in a large cohort: Clinical aspects and response to IVIG and anti-TNF alpha treatment” was published…

MicroRNAs encased in small vesicles (exosomes) present in blood circulation may help identify sarcoidosis patients at risk of developing cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). The study “Exosomal MicroRNA for Detection of Cardiac Sarcoidosis” was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM). “CS is…

Three cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the same patients highlight the need for doctors to be vigilant when sarcoidosis patients develop new, unusual skin lesions, according to a case study. The research, “Sarcoidosis and squamous cell carcinoma: a connection documented in a case series of…

Lower expression of a receptor at the surface of immune cells, called monocytes, in the blood of sarcoidosis patients is linked to disease development. The study “Reduced expression of monocyte CD200R is associated with enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production in sarcoidosis” was published in the journal Scientific…

In a new study, a medical team describes a rare case report of a sarcoid reaction in the spleen and regional lymph nodes in a patient with colon cancer. The study, “Sarcoid reaction in the spleen after sigmoid colon cancer resection: a case report,” was published in the Surgical…

Cardiac sarcoidosis might be accurately diagnosed by measuring the ratio of immune cells, specifically macrophages and dendritic cells, in tissue samples from patients, researchers reported. The study, “Myocardial Immunocompetent Cells and Macrophage Phenotypes as Histopathological Surrogates for Diagnosis of Cardiac Sarcoidosis in Japanese,” was published in the Journal…

Aging and a lack of devices addressing heart problems, mainly pacemakers or defibrillators, were identified as risk factors for higher mortality in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. The study, “Cardiac sarcoidosis: the impact of age and implanted devices on survival,” was published in the journal CHEST. “Cardiac sarcoidosis is a…