Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the autoimmune disease that most commonly compromises pregnancy. Moreover, the relationship between SLE and pregnancy is in both directions. However, the current experience indicates that pregnancy in patients with SLE should not be regarded as an unacceptable high risk condition for the mother or her baby provided that careful planning of conception and multidisciplinary monitoring and treatment are carried out.     

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) may develop in individuals with asymptomatic infection receiving immunosuppressive treatment. This report summarizes current knowledge regarding SHS in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and associated antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: Two patients with active SLE and associated APS presenting with SHS are reported. Additional cases of strongyloidiasis in SLE were identified and reviewed. RESULTS: Patient 1: A 34-year-old woman with SLE and APS characterized by active glomerulonephritis, stroke, and several hospital-acquired infections presented with vomiting and diffuse abdominal pain. Intestinal vasculitis was suspected, and treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was given. Response was partial. A gastric biopsy revealed S. stercoralis larvae. She received ivermectin and eventually recovered. Patient 2: A 37-year-old man with active glomerulonephritis and APS with recurrent thrombosis presented with digital necrosis. Necrotizing vasculitis was suspected and treated with immunosupressants. He suddenly developed respiratory failure secondary to alveolar hemorrhage and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The patient developed Gram-negative septic shock and died. The postmortem result of bronchoalveolar lavage yielded Strongyloides larvae. Nine cases of strongyloidiasis and the SHS in SLE patients reported in the literature were identified and reviewed. Five of these patients died; none had associated APS. CONCLUSIONS: These cases suggest that the SHS can exacerbate SLE and APS, predisposing to Gram-negative sepsis and death. Immunocompromised patients need an early diagnosis and specific treatment of parasitic diseases and their complications. The SHS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lupus complications in patients from endemic areas.     

Clinical significance of anti-annexin V antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Annexin V has a calcium-dependent binding affinity for anionic phospholipids and activated platelets, and prevents prothrombinase activity. We investigated the clinical significance of IgG anti-annexin V antibodies in patients with SLE. The study population consisted of 140 patients with SLE. Sera were examined for IgG anti-annexin V antibodies by ELISA. IgG anti-annexin V antibodies were detected in 27 of 140 patients (19%). Significantly higher incidences of arterial or venous thrombosis, intrauterine fetal loss, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time were found in patients with anti-annexin V antibodies than in those without anti-annexin V antibodies. Three patients with thrombosis were found not to have anticardiolipin antibodies, but to show sustained serological reactions for anti-annexin V antibodies, irrespective of prednisolone administration. These results indicated the clinical characteristics of SLE patients with anti-annexin V antibodies, and that these antibodies may be associated with the pathogenesis of thrombotic events. Am. J. Hematol. 54:209–213, 1997 © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Antibodies against platelet glycoproteins and antiphospholipid antibodies in autoimmune thrombocytopenia

Abstract: Autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins (anti-GP) are found in the majority of patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) as well as in thrombocytopenia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some of these patients may have anti-phospholipid antibodies (anti-PL). To evaluate the pathogenetic significance of anti-PL and anti-GP antibodies in AITP and SLE patients, we investigated anti-cardiolipin (anti-CL), anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) and anti-GP antibodies (anti-GPIIb-IIIa and anti-GPIb-IX) in 71 patients with AITP and 3 thrombocytopenic patients with SLE. Anti-GP antibodies were detected in 52 (70%) patients. Fifty-six (73%) patients showed anti-PL antibodies. Seven patients (6 AITP, 1 SLE) with both anti-GPIIb-IIIa and IgG anti-PL antibodies were followed during treatment with corticosteroids. Antibodies were measured before treatment and at the time of platelet-peak. Anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies decreased in all or became undetectable in five. In contrast, IgG anti-PS and IgG anti-CL antibodies decreased only moderately or remained positive. Adsorption experiments, using gelfiltered platelets, erythrocyte (Ec)-inside-out-vesicles and purified GPIIb-IIIa, showed that anti-GP and anti-PL antibodies have distinct specificities and do not crossreact. We conclude that anti-PL and anti-GP antibodies may be present simultaneously in some patients with immune mediated thrombocytopenia. Although anti-PS as well as anti-CL antibodies may be responsible for thrombocytopenia, we speculate that anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies are more related to the severity of thrombocytopenia.     

Increased circulating platelet–leucocyte complexes and platelet activation in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis

It is possible that platelet activation may play a pathogenic role in the increased risk of thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (APA). In this study, levels of in vivo platelet activation were measured in 20 patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and 30 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (14 of whom had secondary APS) using sensitive flow cytometry. Soluble P-selectin levels were also assayed. Platelet CD63 expression was significantly higher in PAPS than normal controls (P = 0.007), as well as SLE patients with and without secondary APS (P = 0.03 and P = 0.002 respectively). PAC-1 binding was significantly higher in PAPS than the control group (P = 0.007) and SLE patients without APS (P = 0.015). Platelet-leucocyte complexes were significantly higher in SLE patients than both PAPS and the control group, and platelet-monocyte complexes were significantly increased in PAPS compared with the control group. (Platelet-leucocyte complexes were also significantly higher than controls in 10 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients without APA). Soluble P-selectin levels were significantly higher in PAPS and SLE patients than the control group. Platelet CD62p expression, annexin V binding and platelet microparticle numbers were not increased in PAPS or SLE patients. We conclude that there is evidence of increased platelet activation in PAPS and SLE, and this is important to note as it may have potential therapeutic implications with respect to use of antiplatelet agents in these patients.     

抗血小板生成素抗体与系统性红斑狼疮伴血小板减少的相关性研究

目的 分析抗血小板生成素(TPO)抗体在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)中的作用,并探讨其与SLE伴血小板减少及病情的相关性.方法 应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测56例SLE患者中的抗TPO抗体,并与20例免疫性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)及20名健康人对照.同时分析SLE患者临床特点.正态分布的计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher精确检验,计量资料采用t检验,非正态分布采用M(Q)表示及Wilcoxon's rank检验.结果 抗TPO抗体在SLE组中阳性率为39％,35％的免疫性血小板减少患者抗TPO抗体阳性,而健康对照中未能检测到抗TPO抗体(x2=11.058,P=0.001).26例伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中,15例(58％)抗TPO抗体阳性,而30例无血小板减少患者中仅有7例(23％,x2=6.894,P=0.009);进一步分析发现抗TPO体抗体阳性患者其血小板下降程度重(t=3.010,P=0.004).对照抗TPO抗体阳性与阴性患者的临床资料显示,关节炎(x2=5.959,P=0.015)、抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体阳性(x2=5.959,P=0.015)的SLE患者更易产生抗TPO抗体.结论 在伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中检测出较高阳性率的抗TPO抗体表明该抗体可能在SLE发生血小板减少的过程中起重要作用.在伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中检测该抗体具有一定的临床价值.     

Moving towards a cure: blocking pathogenic antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that can mediate tissue damage in multiple organs. The underlying aetiology of SLE autoantibodies remains unknown, and treatments aimed at eliminating B cells, or limiting their function, have demonstrated limited therapeutic benefit. Thus, the current therapies for SLE are based on the concept of nonspecific immunosuppression and consist of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids, anti-malarials and cytotoxic drugs, all of which have serious adverse side effects including organ damage. The major auto-specificity in SLE is double-stranded (ds) DNA. Many anti-dsDNA antibodies cross-react with non-DNA antigens that may be the direct targets for their pathogenic activity. Studying anti-dsDNA antibodies present in SLE patients and in animal models of lupus, we have identified a subset of anti-dsDNA antibodies which is pathogenic in the brain as well as in the kidney. We have recently demonstrated that specific peptides, or small molecules, can protect target organs from antibody-mediated damage. Thus, it might be possible to treat the aspects of autoimmune disease without inducing major immunosuppression and ensuing infectious complications.     

抗血小板抗体在系统性红斑狼疮血小板减少患者中临床意义的研究

目的 明确抗血小板抗体在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)血小板减少患者中的临床意义.方法 采用改良抗原捕获酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测抗血小板抗体(抗GPⅡb/Ⅲa、GPⅠb/Ⅸ、GPⅠa/Ⅱa、GPⅣ抗体),分别比较治疗前SLE血小板减少与SLE非血小板减少患者抗血小板抗体的阳性率、SLE血小板减少患者治疗前后抗血小板抗体的阳性率、SLE血小板减少治疗前患者病情与抗血小板抗体的关联性.统计方法采用秩和检验和x2检验.结果 治疗前SLE血小板减少组抗GPⅡb/Ⅲa抗体、抗GP Ⅰb,Ⅸ抗体阳性率分别为50%、67%.非血小板减少组阳性率分别为11%、28%,2组间阳性率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);治疗后SLE血小板减少组抗GPⅡb/Ⅲa抗体、抗GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ抗体阳性率分别为6%、28%,较治疗前显著降低(P＜0.05);SLE血小板减少组治疗前抗GPⅡb/Ⅲa抗体、抗GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ抗体之间显著关联,该2种抗体均与SLEDAI评分有显著关联性,与抗核抗体、抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体、抗中性粒细胞胞质抗体(ANCA)则无显著关联;各组间未检测出抗GPⅣ和GPⅠa/Ⅱa抗体.结论 抗GPⅡb/Ⅲa、GPⅠb/Ⅸ抗体在病情活动SLE血小板减少患者中表达显著升高,与SLE血小板减少病情发生发展和转归相关.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of antiplatelet antibody in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with thrombocytopenia.Methods Antiplatelet antibody (anti-GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa antibody, anti-GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ antibody, anti-GP Ⅰa/Ⅱ a antibody, anti-GP Ⅳ antibody) were detected by modified antigen capture ELISA. The positive rate of antiplatelet antibody between SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia group and without thrombocytopenia group before therapy were compared,and the positive rate of antiplatelet antibody before therapy and after therapy in SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia were compared,and the relevance between antiplatelet antibody and conditions in SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia were analyzed. Rank test and Chi square test were used for statistical analysis. Results The positive rate of anti-GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa antibody and anti-GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ antibody in SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia group before therapy was 50% and 67% respectively, however,the positive rate in SLE without thrombocytopenia group before therapy was 11% and 28% respectively,there was significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05) and the positive rate of anti-GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa antibody and anti-GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ antibody in SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia group after therapy was 6% and 28% respectively, which was significantly lower than those before therapy (P＜0.05). In SLE complicated with thrombocytopenia group before therapy, there was significant relevance between anti-GP Ⅱb/Ⅲ a antibody and anti-GP[b/Ⅸ antibody, and there was significant relevance between these two antibodies and SLEDAI score,but no significant relevance between these two antibodies and ANA,dsDNA, ANCA. Neither anti-GPⅣ antibody nor anti-GP Ⅰ a/Ⅱ a antibody was detected in patients of this study. Conclusion The positive rate of antiplatelet antibody (anti-GP Ⅱb/Ⅲ a antibody, anti-GP Ⅰb/Ⅸ antibody) is significantly higher in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with thrombocytopenia,and these two antibodies are significantly associated with clinical outcomes.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus,celiac disease and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a rare association

Association of celiac disease with systemic lupus erythematosus is rare, even though HLA B8 and DR3 are commonly associated with these diseases. We read with great interest a similar case reported by Hrycek and Siekiera in this journal and wish to highlight another case of ours, which had celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, an association which has never been described before.     

Reversible dementia in systemic lupus erythematosus without antiphospholipid antibodies or cerebral infarction

Dementia is a very rare neurological manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has a deep link with antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) and cerebral infarction in its development. However, nonvascular dementia irrelevant to APL or cerebral infarction has not been reported in patients with SLE until now. We describe a case of reversible dementia in an SLE patient without APL or cerebral infarction which was successfully treated with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. There are two significant points in this case. One is that humoral factors other than APL might be involved in the development of dementia. Secondly, reversible dementia without APL or cerebral infarction may respond more favorably to immunosuppressive therapy.     

Platelet autoantibodies detected by immunoblotting in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with the lupus anticoagulant, and with history of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia

71 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied for the occurrence of platelet antibodies by immunoblotting. Binding of IgG antibodies to platelet protein antigens was observed in 39 of the 71 patients. The most frequently detected and exceptionally strongly reacting antibodies were directed against platelet protein antigens with an approximate molecular weight of 65 kDa under nonreducing conditions. These antibodies were autoreactive and, when followed, they usually persisted. Interestingly, in this group of well-defined SLE patients, platelet antibodies against the most common targets (65 kDa) were significantly associated with the lupus anticoagulant, a history of thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, particularly with arterial occlusions. The lupus anticoagulant, on the other hand, correlated significantly only with venous thrombosis. In addition to the lupus anticoagulant, platelet antibodies against this unknown platelet protein may thus be a marker of a higher risk of thrombosis in SLE patients.     

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies to the endothelial hybridoma cell line (EAhy926) in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with antiphospholipid antibodies

The endothelial hybridoma (EAhy926) cell line was employed to clarify whether antiphospholipid antibodies (aPA) [lupus anticoagulant (LA), antiprothrombin antibody (aPT) and/or anticardiolipin antibody (aCL)] and anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) are identical, and establish whether β₂-glycoprotein I (β₂-GPI) is needed for reactivity of aPA to endothelial cells. Ig-G AECA was positive in 9/30 SLE patients with aPA (30.0%) and 10/22 SLE patients negative for aPA (45.5%). Ig-M AECA was positive in one SLE patient with aPA and one SLE patient without aPA. AECA-positivity was not significantly different among unfixed, TNF-stimulated and fixed EAhy926. The influence of β₂-GPI on the reactivity of serum to EAhy926 was minimal, and absorption experiments of serum with cardiolipin-liposome/β₂-GPI or phosphatidylserine-liposome/prothrombin gave little evidence of cross-reactivity of aPA and AECA. The results of our study suggest that aPA and AECA may have partially cross-reacted, but were different antibodies. However, further study is needed to clarify the clinico-pathological significance of AECA.     

Selection of patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome by serological measurement of lupus anticoagulant activity in conjunction with anticardiolipin antibodies

Summary The significance of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) in patients with a range of autoimmune and infective disorders was investigated in this study. Although lower levels of IgG and IgM ACLA were present in 77 of 400 patients' sera (19%), high antibody levels were found in < 5% of patients. These latter patients belonged to three clinical categories: patients with connective tissue disease (CTD), infectious mononucleosis or biological false positive serology. An assay was developed to measure lupus anticoagulant (LA) activity in serum: significant LA activity was found in the CTD patients alone (in 6 of 15 tested) and all of these had high titre ACLA. Features of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) were present in these six patients but also in three additional CTD patients with normal LA results and high levels of ACLA. In two CTD patients with APS features, the high ACLA were of IgM isotype. These results stress the importance of measuring both ACLA and LA in an investigation of the APS: a high positive ACLA supports the diagnosis of APS, particularly in patients with autoimmune disease, whilst a high positive ACLA in association with LA activity is specific for this syndrome.     

系统性红斑狼疮合并抗磷脂综合征患者外周血CD1d的表达

目的通过检测系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)合并抗磷脂综合征(APS)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)CD1d表达,探讨CD1d分子和APS疾病和实验室指标的相关性。方法利用流式细胞分析方法对20例合并APS患者,30例SLE对照,23名正常对照PBMC CD1d表达进行分析,并与患者临床资料和实验结果进行相关分析。结果SLE合并APS组PBMC中CD1d表达高于正常对照组,和SLE对照组比较差异无统计学意义。SLE合并APS组单核细胞群中CD1d表达高于正常对照组,和SLE对照组比较差异无统计学意义。CD1d和SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分显著相关,和补体明显呈负相关。结论CD1d表达异常与SLE发病相关,并可作为评价SLE活动的指标。     

Infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Infection is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In most clinical series, infection ranks first or second as the most common cause of death in SLE patients worldwide, including Hong Kong. In this article, the spectrum of infections and their protean manifestations in lupus patients will be reviewed with emphasis on clinical data from Hong Kong and other Asian countries. A high index of suspicion and dedicated work‐up to identify the causative pathogens is pivotal to the early diagnosis and effective management of infective complications in patients with SLE.     

Clinical significance of antinucleosome antibodies in Tunisian systemic lupus erythematosus patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of antinucleosome antibodies in Tunisian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. IgG antinucleosome antibodies were detected by a qualitative enzyme immunoassay (immunodot) in the sera of SLE patients at onset of disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the antinucleosome antibodies test: positive (group A) and negative (group B). The two groups were also evaluated for clinical and biological parameters. Of 84 patients with SLE, 66 (78.6%) had antinucleosome antibodies. Among 21 patients negative for anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), 5 (23.8%) were antinucleosome positive. The most common initial features were haematological disorders (80.1%) and arthritis or arthralgias (79.8%). Renal disorders, observed in 59.5% of SLE patients, were more common in group A compared to group B (65 vs 38%) (p=0.04). The European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM) mean score was higher in group A (6.42) than in group B (4.44) (p=0.002). Antinucleosome antibodies were positive in nearly one-fourth of SLE patients negative for anti-dsDNA. We found a correlation between antinucleosome antibodies, nephritis and SLE disease activity. Therefore, the determination of circulating antinucleosome antibodies could be a useful parameter for early diagnosis and follow-up of SLE patients.     

Antiphospholipid syndrome modifies the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus

A 17-year-old woman with arterial and venous thrombosis of the leg diagnosed as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported. Her serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated and complement concentrations were normal. Symptoms of APS were improved with prednisolone, when the serum CRP concentration decreased, and low serum complement concentration and white blood cell count appeared. These are characteristic features of SLE. It is suggested that APS is a possible complication of SLE and may modify the clinical features of SLE.