Drs. Baer, Birnbaum, and Grader Beck, along with Anthony Keyes recently attended the 11th International Symposium on Sjögren’s Syndrome held in Athens, Greece.  Multiple posters, representing the work of researchers at the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, were presented at the meeting.  Drs. Baer and Birnbaum served as Chairmen of keynote lectures. 

  The Symposium provided up-to-date information on a wide range of key topics.  Areas included diagnostic criteria, autoantibodies, evaluation of salivary glands and lip biopsies, immunopathology, the role of B-cells, genetics, and clinical trials. 

The occasion also served as a meeting place for the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) where Dr. Baer presented a relevant case study and Anthony discussed the successful recruitment efforts of the Johns Hopkins site.

Dr. Alan Baer, Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjogren’s Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins, was interviewed by Myranda Stephens of Fox 45 Baltimore.  Ms. Stephens was also given a “behind-the-scenes” tour of our laboratory by Anthony Keyes, Research Program Coordinator.  We wish to thank laboratory personel Davie and Erika, who appear in cameo’s, as well as Janelle for their assistance.

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_9154.shtml

A disease that sidelined tennis star Venus Williams may be new to many, but not to the researchers and doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Sjogren’s Syndrome Center at Bayview Medical Center opened 2-year-ago and has since treated more than 1,000 patients with the condition.

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an auto-immune disease that attacks a person’s moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes and mouth, joint pain, and fatigue.

Williams, was recently diagnose with Sjogren’s. The professional tennis player announced this week, that she was withdrawing from the U.S. Open because of the disease.

Myranda Stephens has more on the attacking disease.

Original Airdate: Friday, September 2 2011, 11:08 PM EDT

It’s not exactly clear what causes the disorder, but it probably has a genetic link – though that doesn’t mean Williams’ sister Serena has a greater risk, said Dr. Julius Birnbaum, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center.

He said viral infections and other factors could play a role.

“Sjogren’s syndrome is emerging as among the most common autoimmune diseases affecting adults,” said Birnbaum. “Two to four million adults may be affected.

He said the body’s strategy for combating infections and tumors “essentially turns into a traitor and starts targeting different organs.” It targets the glands that produce tears in people’s eyes and saliva in their mouths. It also can affect a host of different organs.

It’s hard to diagnose because the dryness isn’t always considered a factor by doctors who are looking for causes of fatigue and joint pain.

Birnbaum said the disease is chronic, but that it’s treatable. The first line of defense is a drug called Plaquenil, which originally was developed as an anti-malarial drug but is now used for Sjogren’s and Lupus. If that is ineffective, there are other drugs that can suppress the immune system.

Doctors will also have to look for hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and other causes of fatigue that often surface in Sjogren’s patients.

“In the absence of other organ complications, Venus can hopefully return to tennis,” Birnbaum said, though he’s not treated the tennis star and is not familiar with the specifics of her case. “There will need to be a lifelong commitment to treatment.”

To read more, go to the Hopkins Sjogren’s Syndrome Center website or this Los Angeles Times story.