INTRODUCTION: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is characterized by production of numerous autoantibodies as an abnormal immune response. The most important antibodies are those aimed at constitutive elements of cell nucleus. METHODS: After antigen typing of antinuclear antibodies in 30 patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus we analyzed the correlation between anti-Sm antibodies and anti-U1RNP antibodies and the degree of disease activity, such as correlation of these two antibodies with some clinical manifestations of this disease. This study included patients who fulfilled all revised American Rheumatism Association criteria to diagnose systemic lupus. To determine the degree of disease activity we used Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index after Bombardier. To detect antinuclear antibodies technique of indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA procedure for antigen typing of these antibodies were used. RESULTS: We registered antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 100% of our patients, with domination of homogenous pattern of immunofluorescence (70%). Speakled pattern was registered in 16.66% and margin type in 6.66%. Using ELISA procedure of antigen typing of ANA we registered anti-U1RNP antibodies in 26.7% patients, while anti-Sm antibodies were registered in 20%. CONCLUSION: Anti-U1RNP antibodies finding is associated with mild forms of disease and rare appearance of lupus nephritis, while anti-Sm antibodies finding is characteristic for very active forms of disease and often lupus nephritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Psoriatic arthritis: case report of acute HLA-B27 positive polyarthritis preceding the onset of typical skin changes].

Psoriasis usually occurs many years before development of arthritis. This is a case report of a patient with acute polyarthritis affecting both peripheral joints and the left sacroiliac joint, preceding the appearance of typical skin manifestations for almost two months. A 44-year-old male mechanic was admitted to our institution for acute additive polyarthritis. Inflammatory synovitis primarily affected large peripheral joints (knees, ankles) in an asymmetrical pattern, with a concomitant development of unilateral sacroiliitis and later with asymmetrical involvement of several proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet. There were also signs of enthesopathy of the right heel. Arthritis was not proceeded by infection of the lower genital or gastrointestinal tract or serological and bacteriological evidences of streptococcal or HIV infection. Laboratory findings showed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (92 in the first hour), positive histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27 and an increased level of acute phase reactants. Almost two months after affecting the locomotor system a typical psoriatic rash developed, first affecting the scalp and then spreading over the trunk and extremities. It was accompanied by severe onychodystrophy. The patient underwent intensive treatment with methylprednisolone (1.5 mg/kg) and cyclosporine A with significant results.

Adult↗