Human polyomavirus BK in patients with lupus nephritis: clinical and histological correlations

Polyomavirus BK (BKV) reactivation can occur in immunodeficient patients. Few studies on BKV infection in patients with systemic lupus erytematosus (SLE) nephritis are available. Aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of BKV infection by quantifying viral load and to investigate the association with clinical and histological parameters indicating duration, type and activity of SLE.BKV-DNA was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction in serum (sBKV) and urine (uBKV) specimens from 40 patients with SLE nephritis and 29 healthy controls. Renal function, urinary activity, clinical index of SLE activity [SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score], CD4+/CD8+ ratio, histological classes and duration of SLE nephritis were compared according to the BKV-DNA-positivity.sBKV was present in 15% of SLE patients and in 13.8% of controls; uBKV in 32% of SLE patients and in 17.2% of controls. There was no significant difference in terms of kidney function, urinary activity, SLEDAI score, presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and BKV viremia and/viruria, as well as there was no significant correlation between SLEDAI score, anti-dsDNA antibodies titers and median viral load. Duration of nephropathy tended to be shorter in patients with BKV viremia and/or viruria; proteinuria/creatininuria ratio tended to be higher in patients with positive sBKV and uBKV. BKV-DNA-positivity tended to be more frequent in patients treated with an immunosuppressive agent versus those on steroid treatment.Reactivation of BKV infection can occur in patients with SLE, although prevalence data do not significantly differ from those obtained in the control group. The trend toward an association between BKV infection and degree of proteinuria and less duration of SLE nephritis could indicate a major susceptibility to develop BKV infection in more active phases of the disease. The role of BKV reactivation in terms of clinical parameters and histological pattern, as well as the role of therapeutic protocols in the onset of BKV reactivation and, conversely, the therapeutic implication of BKV reactivation in SLE patients remain to be defined and should be addressed in further studies on a larger number of patients.     

Rapid reduction of antibodies and improvement of disease activity by immunoadsorption in Chinese patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus

This was an exploratory analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of immunoadsorption (IAS) combination therapy in severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving corticosteroid pulse and immunosuppressant treatment. Patients enrolled all had predominant organ involvement including proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, pericardial effusion, and cerebral involvement requiring corticosteroid pulse treatment. Fifty-two patients in study group received IAS plus corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment. Fifty-two patients in non-IAS group received corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment. Outcome measurement included C3, dsDNA, AnuA, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) 2k score and in particular cases, proteinuria quantification and platelet count. Disease activity dropped significantly in both groups. Improvement of disease activity markers was more significant in study group than that in non-IAS group. The lower dosage of steroid in study group suggested the steroid-sparing effect of IAS. No severe adverse effect occurred during IAS. Our study suggested IAS as an additional therapy to steroid pulse and immunosuppressant in treating severe SLE.     

Symptomatic renal tubular acidosis (RTA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis of six cases with new association of type 4 RTA

OBJECTIVES: We have analysed the association between different parameters of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Review of hospital database records between 1978 and 2003 revealed six SLE patients with RTA. Correlations and comparisons were done by Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the chi(2) test. RESULTS: Four patients had hypokalaemia (type 1 RTA) and two patients had hyperkalaemia (type 4 RTA). Three patients with type 1, but no patients with type 4 RTA, had medullary nephrocalcinosis. The majority of SLE patients with distal RTA (type 1 and type 4) had nephritis with proteinuria. No seronegative SLE was noted, and all patients were negative for anticardiolipin antibodies. There was a noticeable trend of higher serum potassium levels with increased SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI; P < 0.1) and nephritic manifestation (haematuria, P < 0.1). The mean SLEDAI scores were 11.75 and 27.5 for type 1 and type 4 RTA patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When present in patients with SLE, classic distal RTA (type 1) is the most common. In particular, we report here for the first time two cases of type 4 RTA in SLE patients with higher SLEDAI scores than patients with type 1 RTA. Medullary nephrocalcinosis or renal urolithiasis has not been found in our patients with type 4 RTA. Higher serum potassium levels seem to be associated with higher SLEDAI scores and more severe nephritic manifestations in patients with distal RTA.     

Anti-nucleosome antibodies: A potential surrogate marker for renal affection in lupus patients with insignificant proteinuria

BackgroundLupus nephritis (LN) is a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical renal involvement is present in about two-thirds of lupus patients and more patients would have morphologic evidence of renal disease without clinical manifestations.Aim of the workTo investigate serum anti-nucleosome antibodies role as a biomarker for renal affection in lupus patients with insignificant proteinuria.Patients and methodsTwenty-four lupus patients with proteinuria <500 mg/d (group-A), 30 patients with established lupus nephritis (group-B) and 15 controls were included. Systemic lupus erythematosis disease activity index (SLEDAI), anti-nucleosome, anti-dsDNA antibodies and renal biopsy were assessed in all patients.ResultsSerum anti-nucleosome antibodies were significantly higher in all lupus patients than control (P < 0.001) and showed significant positive correlation with SLEDAI score. SLE patients with positive anti-dsDNA antibody had more active disease by SLEDAI and higher levels of anti-nucleosome antibodies than those with negative anti-dsDNA antibodies. In both studied groups, serum anti-nucleosome antibodies were significantly higher in patients with class II LN than the control and in class III LN than in class II LN (P < 0.001). Yet, in both groups, anti-nucleosome was not useful in differentiating active from chronic renal affection.ConclusionSerum levels of anti-nucleosome antibodies are associated with active lupus disease and correlate with the degree of renal affection. In patients with insignificant proteinuria, serum levels of anti-nucleosome antibodies were elevated and were related to the degree of renal affection. Anti-nucleosome antibodies may be used as a surrogate marker for early renal affection in lupus patients with insignificant proteinuria.     

Multiple avascular necrosis of bone and polyarticular septic arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Avascular necrosis of bone (AVN) and osteoarticular infection share similar risk factors in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. However, their coincidental development in SLE has rarely been described. We describe four cases of AVN complicated by Staphylococcus aureus infection in SLE.Methods Patients were identified by retrospectively reviewing an SLE cohort followed between 1979 and 2003. A review of the literature from 1960 until 2003 was also done.Results Among 315 SLE patients, four developed joint infection by S. aureus following or coincidentally with AVN. All presented multifocal disease with severe or relapsing course, resulting in severe incapacity. The clinical course suggests that AVN developed first in active SLE patients with positive antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies treated with high-dose corticosteroids (CS), and subsequent bone infarcts favor infection. Our patients often required prolonged antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment.Conclusions Active SLE patients with aPL antibodies on high-dose CS seem at high risk of developing multiple AVN complicated by infection. Avascular necrosis and bone or joint infection by S. aureus in these patients is a major complication that leads to severe joint destruction and disability.     

Antinuclear antibody-negative systemic lupus erythematosus in a case with pregnancy

We described a 30-year-old pregnant woman developing antinuclear antibodies (ANA)-negative systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) accompanied with arthritis, malar rash, lymphopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pericardial and pleural effusion, proteinuria and seizures. All serum autoantibodies except anti-Ro antibody were negative. An artificially induced abortion was performed to prevent SLE deterioration. Steroid and cyclophosphamide therapy were effective for this patient. During the 2-year follow-up period, her ANA and other SLE-related autoantibodies in serum remained negative. This case suggests that ANA may not be required in the pathogenesis of SLE, even in the case with pregnancy, and ANA-negative SLE may also have a dangerous clinical course.     

男女系统性红斑狼疮肾炎49例临床分析

目的探讨男、女系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）的临床表现和狼疮肾炎（LN）及病理分型的异同。方法分析49例男、女SLE（其中男性13例，女性36例）的临床资料及LN肾活检病理类型。结果在男、女性SLE的初发症状中，蛋白尿、浮肿的发生率差异有统计学意义。同时初发症状包括两项或两项以上临床表现者男性与女性患者相比差异有统计学意义，提示男性狼疮患者起病较重，并以蛋白尿、浮肿为初发症状多见。而且男性SLE平均发病年龄较女性患者小（P〈0．05）。男、女LN的病理表现与性别无显著相关性（P〉0．05）。结论男性SLE患者平均发病年龄早，起病常较重，但男、女性SLE具体临床表现与LN的病理改变差异无统计学意义。     

青春期起病的系统性红斑狼疮患者的临床特点分析

目的探讨青春期起病的系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者的病情特点。方法对98例青春期起病的SLE患者和372例成人SLE患者的临床特点进行了比较。观察指标包括疾病累及的器官数目、SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)积分、病情的转归和病死率等。结果青春期起病的SLE患者占全部SLE患者的20．85%。青春期起病的患者比成人患者疾病累及的器官数目多、SLEDAI积分高、难治性SLE多、病死率高。结论青春期起病的SLE患者并非少见,这一部分患者病情变化快、病死率高,应予以高度重视。     

小剂量利妥昔单抗治疗系统性红斑狼疮的临床观察

目的 评价小剂量利妥昔单抗治疗系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)的疗效和安全性.方法 对既往激素和多种免疫抑制剂治疗无效或复发的10例SLE患者,予利妥昔单抗100mg,使用4次,同时仅联合使用激素,观察疗效和不良反应.结果 利妥昔单抗对狼疮肾炎、神经精神性狼疮、顽固性血小板减少以及自身免疫性溶血性贫血均显示有良好的疗效,且起效迅速.10例患者中仅1例出现了泌尿系感染,1例在首剂利妥昔单抗治疗1周后猝死,但不能确定死亡原因与利妥昔单抗相关.结论 小剂量利妥昔单抗治疗SLE有良好的疗效和安全性,并且降低了治疗费用.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者医院感染的调查研究

目的：了解系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）的患者的医院感染情况。方法：对1995年3月至2002年3月新入院的456例SLE患者的医院感染进行调查。结果：SLE患者医院感染率为36．4％，呼吸道45．2％，泌尿道16．0％，皮肤12．6％，其他26．2％，以G－杆菌感染为主，致病菌对抗生素耐药率较高，结论：医院感染的易发因素是大量使用抗生素，激素及免疫抑制剂等。     

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in a patient with lupus serositis and nephritis

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported as an immunomodulating agent in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein we report a SLE patient with severe clinical presentation that included pericarditis, pleural effusion, nephrotic range proteinuria, leukopenia, and lymphopenia. The patient received one course of high-dose IVIg (2.8 g/kg body weight), and within a week of post-IVIg therapy, her condition significantly improved. One-month post-IVIg there were decreased proteinuria, elevated leukocytes and lymphocytes count, decrease in antinuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies, and disappearance of pericarditis and pleuritis. This case demonstrates the efficacy of IVIg in severe SLE with various clinical manifestations. Received: 14 January 2000 / Accepted: 20 March 2000     

系统性红斑狼疮并发无菌性股骨头坏死的临床研究

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)并发无菌性股骨头坏死(ONFH)的临床特点.方法 回顾分析卫生部中日友好医院住院治疗的SLE合并ONFH患者的临床资料.结果 461例SLE住院患者中ONFH的发病率为6.94%(32/461),在SLE病程3年之内发生ONFH的病例占65.63%(21/32);SEE合并ONFH者与SLE未合并ONFH者间年龄、性别、病程差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);具有皮肤血管炎、血小板升高、血清纤维蛋白原(Fib)升高、LDL-C升高、骨密度低表现的患者在SLE并发ONFH者所占的比例较SLE未合并ONFH者高,平均初始口服糖皮质激素量和1个月、半年、总糖皮质激素累积量亦较SLE未合并ONFH者高,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);而雷诺现象、口腔溃疡、肾脏受累、高血压、贫血、抗心磷脂抗体阳性、有无行糖皮质激素冲击和免疫抑制剂治疗等方面两者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 在SLE病程3年之内发生ONFH的危险性相对较高,SLE并发ONFH患者多数具有皮肤溃疡、坏疽等皮肤血管炎以及血小板、Fib、LDL-C升高和骨密度低的表现,且多数患者经过大剂量糖皮质激素治疗.     

Antinucleosome antibodies may help predict development of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) may evolve to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), even many years later. This makes differentiation between primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome a difficult task. Studies in murine models of lupus have shown that the development of antinucleosome (anti-NCS) antibodies may occur from the early stages of life. We therefore hypothesize that anti-NCS antibodies could help predict development of SLE in patients with PAPS. We studied anti-NCS antibodies in 18 PAPS patients (15 female, three male), followed for a mean of 11 years to evaluate the potential development of SLE. When PAPS was diagnosed, nine patients were positive for anti-NCS antibodies. Six of them developed clinical manifestations of SLE. In contrast, none of the patients who were negative to anti-NCS antibodies developed it. These findings suggest that anti-NCS antibodies could help predict which patients with PAPS may eventually develop SLE.     

系统性红斑狼疮合并肿瘤患者的临床特点及危险因素分析

分析系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)合并肿瘤患者的临床特点及危险因素。选2010年10月至2019年2月郑州大学第一附属医院住院的SLE患者138例,SLE合并肿瘤患者69例,分析其临床特点、既往治疗及危险因素。结果显示,SLE合并肿瘤者,最常见的肿瘤为宫颈癌(21.74%,15/69)和甲状腺癌(21.74%,15/69)。SLE合并肿瘤者中,年龄以40~50岁多见,SLE诊断年龄以40~50岁多见,SLE病程以60~120个月为主。SLE者年龄以20~30岁多见,SLE诊断年龄以20~30岁多见,SLE病程以<12个月为主。两者既往使用糖皮质激素、环磷酰胺、甲氨蝶呤、硫唑嘌呤的比例差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);SLE者既往使用羟氯喹的比例高于SLE合并肿瘤者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。多因素分析显示,SLE病程(OR=4.25,95%CI 1.79~10.01,P<0.001)、羟氯喹(OR=0.26,95%CI 0.12~0.59,P<0.001)与肿瘤风险有相关性。SLE病程长可能是SLE发生肿瘤的危险因素,羟氯喹可能是保护性因素。     

Lupus-like presentation of parvovirus B19 infection

OBJECTIVES: To describe 2 cases of parvovirus B19 (B19) infection mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify all cases of SLE imitated by and/or associated with B19 in the medical literature. METHODS: A computer-assisted (PubMed) search of the medical literature from 1975 to 2003 was performed using the following key words: parvovirus, B19, SLE, lupus, antibodies, auto-immunity. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were identified: 35 women, 3 men; mean age = 28.8 years. Clinical manifestations were as follows: fever (24 patients); articular involvement (36 patients); cutaneous lesions (28 patients); lymphadenopathy (9 patients); hepato- and/or splenomegaly (6 patients); serositis (6 patients); renal involvement (4 patients); cerebral impairment (10 patients). Cytopenia was observed in 23 cases. Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 34 patients, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies in 20 patients, anti-Sm antibodies in 4 patients, antinuclear ribonucleoprotein antibodies in 5 patients, anti-Ro-SSA antibodies in 4 patients, anti-La-SSB antibodies in 4 patients, and anticardiolipin and/or anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies in 8 patients. Hypocomplementemia was found in 15 of 26 patients. In 19 cases, the B19 infection had a self-limiting course. In 6 cases, B19 infection occurred in a context of previously established SLE, simulating SLE exacerbation. In 6 observations, symptoms persisted several months after the viral infection. In 7 cases, the exact relationship between SLE and B19 could not be determined. CONCLUSIONS: B19 infection may present a clinical and serological tableau making it difficult to distinguish between a viral infection and the first episode of SLE. Although B19 may modulate the clinical and biological features of rheumatic disease, studies in large series do not support a causative role for B19 in the pathogenesis of SLE.     

Association of anti-DNA idiotype markers with clinical and serological manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Serum levels of 6 anti-DNA antibody idiotypes were measured in 65 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 45 healthy subjects. Five of the 6 idiotypes were elevated in SLE sera compared to the normal controls (p less than 0.005). Analysis of the associations of the idiotypes with clinical, hematological, and serological characteristics revealed that significantly decreased serum levels of 3 idiotypes (103.1, 100, and 1305) were associated with nephritis and that one of these idiotypes (103.1) was also associated with discoid rash. An association of lowered levels of 3 idiotype markers (604, 1305, and 1400) was also observed with the presence of lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies. Serial studies in individual patients with SLE nephritis failed to show a close correlation of serum idiotype levels with the degree of proteinuria, creatinine clearance, anti-DNA antibody, or complement values. The association of decreased levels of specific idiotypes with the presence of nephritis, discoid rash, and antiphospholipid antibodies suggests the participation of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of disease.     

Autoimmune disease complicating antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection

OBJECTIVE: To review autoimmune disease complicating therapy with type I interferons (IFNs), specifically in the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: This study describes 13 reported cases of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with IFN therapy for the period reported during 1990-2002 by searching MEDLINE. In addition, 2 additional patients are presented, 1 with SLE and 1 with an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive nephritis, with long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Of 13 cases of SLE-like syndromes caused by IFN, 2 occurred in patients being treated for HCV infection. Two occurred in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 1 had Sjogren's syndrome (SS), and 1 laryngeal papillomatosis. The rest were receiving IFN for hematologic malignancies. Symptoms developed between 2 weeks and 7 years after initiation of therapy. Most developed fever and arthralgias/arthritis. Other findings included serositis manifested by tachycardia, dyspnea and pleural effusions, headaches, and hair loss. All had a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA), and the majority had double stranded (ds) DNA antibodies. Two additional patients with chronic HCV infection developed autoimmune disease after combination treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin. In each patient, autoimmune disease manifested as severe joint pains, myalgias, fever, rash, and proteinuria. Skin and renal biopsy specimens showed vasculitis and crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) in the first case, and typical histologic findings of lupus nephritis in the second; clinical and laboratory features were consistent with Wegener's granulomatosis and SLE, respectively. Although both patients had mixed polyclonal cryoglobulins, they were HCV RNA and HCVAb negative. Both received corticosteroids, with gradual clinical and biochemical improvement and without recurrence of viremia. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune disorders occur in 4% to 19% of patients receiving IFN-alpha, though SLE-like syndromes are only seen in 0.15% to 0.7%. Clinical and laboratory features of SLE in this setting resemble idiopathic disease, with a generally good outcome after discontinuance of the drug. RELEVANCE: Type I IFNs may cause autoimmune disease such as SLE. As the armamentarium of drugs expands to include other biologics, such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-inhibiting drugs, the development of autoimmune diseases induced by these drugs is an important consideration for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Semin Arthritis Rheum 32:163-173.     

Thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with phosphatidylserine dependent antiprothrombin antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare disorder characterized by microvascular thrombosis. TMA has been reported in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and/or antiphospholipid syndrome but its pathogenesis is not clarified. We present two patients with TMA associated with IgG phosphatidylserine dependent antiprothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT). CASE 1: A 44-year-old Japanese female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and positive lupus anticoagulant (LA) was started on ticlopidine after having stroke. Four weeks later she developed TMA. IgG/M/A anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) were negative, but strong positive IgG aPS/PT were detected. CASE 2: A 32-year-old Russian female with SLE was admitted because of hypertension, renal insufficiency and proteinuria at 14 weeks of pregnancy. She developed TMA after surgical abortion. IgG aPS/PT and LA were strongly positive but IgG/M/A aCL were negative. Neither case had von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13), suggesting that TMA in those patients was associated with thrombophilia rather than insufficient ADAMTS-13. Both patients were successfully treated with a series of plasma exchange.     

Low prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in southern China

To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in southern China, SLE inpatients were retrospectively investigated for their HBV infection rate. Fifteen SLE patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were followed up. Furthermore, serum interferon (IFN)-α levels among SLE patients were detected by ELISA. Results showed estimated HBsAg-positive rate was 10.74% in general population. The HBsAg-positive rate was lower in SLE patients compared with controls (2.33 vs. 9.57%, P < 0.01). Interestingly, 13 out of 15 SLE patients converted from HBsAg positive to HBV surface antibody (HBsAb) positive even under glucocorticoid therapy. In addition, we found significantly increased IFN-α levels in SLE patients.The prevalence of HBV infection in SLE patients was lower than that in sex- and age-matched non-SLE controls in southern China. The characteristic IFN signatures in SLE may favor the subsequent clearance of HBV.     

Anti-nucleosome antibody: significance in lupus patients lacking anti-double-stranded DNA antibody

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of anti-nucleosome antibodies in SLE patients lacking anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies. METHODS: IgG anti-nucleosome antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in the sera of SLE patients. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were measured by Farr assays and ELISA, not only in the samples taken for anti-nucleosome testing, but also in sera obtained regularly during the follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety-eight (76.0%) out of 129 patients with SLE had anti-nucleosome antibodies. Twenty-five patients (19.4%) consistently showed little or no anti-dsDNA reactivity during the course of their disease, and among these anti-nucleosome antibodies were present in the sera of 15 (60.0%). Of the patients with anti-dsDNA-negative SLE, renal disorders were present in 8 patients (32.0%), all of whom had anti-nucleosome antibodies. Renal disorders were not found in patients (n = 10) who had neither anti-dsDNA nor anti-nucleosome antibodies. Other autoantibodies such as anti-Ro, anti-Sm and anti-cardiolipin were not associated with renal disorders in this group. The levels of anti-nucleosome antibody strongly correlated with the SLEDAI scores, but inversely correlated with serum complement levels in anti-dsDNA negative SLE patients. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the anti-nucleosome antibody may be a useful marker for diagnosis and activity assessment of anti-dsDNA negative SLE. Anti-nucleosome antibody may be an important factor for renal involvement in this subgroup of patients.