SERUM AUTOANTIBODIES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS AND CORRELATION WITH CUTANEOUS FEATURES

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (3) , 380-385
Abstract
Untreated systemic lupus erythematosus patients (88) were studied for the presence of discoid, malar and vasculitic lesions and photosensitivity. Their sera were examined for antibodies to native DNA. (nDNA), nuclear ribonuclear protein (nRNP), the non-nucleic acid nuclear macromolecule Sm, the nuclear and cytoplasmic macromolecule La(SSB) and the predominantly cytoplasmic macromolecule Ro(SSA). Of the lupus patients 42% possessed nDNA; 36% nRNP; 24% Sm; 24% Ro(SSA) and 9% anti La(SSB) antibodies. Six patients failed to demonstrate significant antinuclear antibody titers (mouse liver substrate), and 4 of these possessed anti Ro(SSA) antibodies. Correlation of the cutaneous lesions among this lupus population possessing various serum antibodies revealed a trend toward photosensitivity and malar dermatitis in the Ro(SSA), La(SSB), Ro/La and the ANA negative, ANA negative/Ro positive groups of lupus patients.