Increased presence of common systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) anti-DNA idiotypes (16/6 Id, 32/15 Id) is induced by procainamide

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Abstract
Sixty-seven patients on treatment with procainamide were examined for the presence of two common idiotypes of anti-DNA antibodies (16/6 Id and 32/15 Id). These idiotypes have been shown previously to have clinical relevance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with rabbit anti-Id antibodies revealed increased concentrations of the 16/6 Id and 32/15 Id in 25 (37%) and 16 (24%) patients, respectively. Five of eight patients with drug-induced lupus had elevated titers of both idiotypes. A high correlation (R=0.56,PR=0.43; IgM,R=0.25). It seems that procainamide, a component known to be associated with drug-induced lupus, may induce an increased production of common anti-DNA idiotypes in apparently normal subjects.