Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024141 (systemic lupus erythematosus)
 44,322 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The outcomes of 32 lupus patients with rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis were studied. Lupus nephritis accounted for 51.6% (32/62) of all patients with biopsy proven rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis during a six year observation period that includes 961 consecutive native kidney biopsies. Median entry serum creatinine was 221 micromol/l. All patients received induction therapy with pulse methylprednisolone (n =27) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (n = 5). Maintenance therapies included prednisolone alone (group 1), prednisolone plus intermittent pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY) (group 2) and prednisolone plus daily oral cytotoxic drugs (group 3). Twelve patients eventually had uremia. Seven further patients died of infection during therapy. One patient still had renal insufficiency and twelve patients had favorable clinical outcome (serum creatinine < 200 micromol/l). Patients in group 3 were more likely to have favorable clinical outcome than group 2 (P = 0.01; Fisher's exact test). Survival analysis found that the three year survival of 'group 2' was 27.6% while that of 'group 3' was 83.3%. Our results suggest that lupus nephritis is not an infrequent cause of crescentic glomerulonephritis. Therapy with IVCY is not necessary associated with good outcome. Selected patients can be effectively treated with daily oral cytotoxic drugs as a reasonable alternative therapy.
Lupus 2000
PMID:Lupus nephritis: a challenging cause of rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis. 1098 46

Inflammation produces reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) that cause vascular damage and activate T lymphocytes. Conversely, antioxidants not only protect tissue from oxidative damage but also suppress immune reactivity. The objective of this study was to examine immunomodulatory effects of the non-enzymatic antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and cysteamine (CYST), on autoimmune disease, glomerulonephritis, and mortality in the female B/W mouse model of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The development of murine lupus was assessed during the lifespan of female B/W mice given NAC or CYST. Morbidity and mortality were assessed daily. At 6 week intervals mice were examined for weight change, albuminuria, serum BUN, antibodies to DNA, and IgG immunoglobulin levels. Serum prolactin, estrogen and progesterone were measured at 18 weeks of age. In a parallel study, NAC- and CYST-treated and control B/W mice were examined at 24 weeks of age for interval renal histopathology, lymphocyte adhesion molecule expression, and antibody titers and in vitro cytokine production in response to immunization with DNP-KLH. CYST significantly suppressed development of albuminuria and azotemia at 36 and 42 weeks of age compared to control and NAC-treated mice. NAC significantly suppressed anti-DNA antibody levels at 24 weeks. In contrast CYST significantly increased anti-DNA antibody levels at 18 weeks of age (P < 0.001 CYST vs control and NAC-treated mice). Kidneys of CYST-treated mice also had accelerated inflammatory histologic changes despite their lower incidence of albuminuria and azotemia. Mean (+/- s.e.m.) survival of control mice was 33 +/- 2 weeks compared to 38 +/- 2 weeks in NAC-treated mice (P < 0.05 vs control), and 48 +/- 2 weeks in the CYST-treated group (P < 0.01 vs control mice). The antioxidants, NAC and CYST, significantly improved mortality in the female B/W mouse model of SLE. NAC suppressed autoantibody formation and modestly prolonged survival. CYST, despite its augmentation of anti-DNA levels and renal inflammatory changes, inhibited the development of renal insufficiency and markedly improved survival. These findings suggest that ROIs play a role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and that antioxidants reduce the damage causing renal insufficiency. Antioxidants may be a beneficial adjunctive therapy in the treatment of human SLE.
Lupus 2001
PMID:Antioxidants suppress mortality in the female NZB x NZW F1 mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 1134 Nov 2

Dermatomyositis is the connective tissue disease with the least renal involvement. Although some renal findings like proteinuria, hematuria, pyuria, progressive renal insufficiency, and glomerular and tubular calcium deposits with arteriolar fibrosis have been described, glomerulonephritides have rarely been associated with dermatomyositis, especially in childhood cases. We describe a 10-year old boy with the clinical picture of dermatomyositis who underwent renal biopsy due to microscopic hematuria demonstrating membranous glomerulonephritis with Clq deposition. Children with "full-house" membranous glomerulonephritis with deposition of Clq and the other immunoglobulins have been reported to present in the future with the clinical findings of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, laboratory evaluation of our patient for systemic lupus erythematosus was negative at the present time. Thus, we think this case should be followed up closely with special attention to the possible clinical and laboratory findings of systemic lupus erythematosus.
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PMID:Dermatomyositis with membranous nephropathy. 1143 94

Invasive fungal sinusitis increasingly causes significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. It is difficult to treat. Despite standard treatment by surgical debridement and intravenous amphotericin B, morbidity and mortality remain high. Conventional amphotericin B is the standard drug but its use is limited by dose-related nephrotoxicity and infusion-related acute toxicity. Liposomal amphotericin B has proven to be as effective as conventional amphotericin B with less nephrotoxicity and infusion reaction. We report four cases of invasive fungal sinusitis who were treated with liposomal amphotericin B after having severe side effects from conventional amphotericin B. There were two cases of mucormycosis and two cases of aspergillosis. All patients had diabetes millitus. One patient had systemic lupus erythematosus and another was receiving immunosuppressive drugs after kidney transplantation. All cases needed multiple operations for sinus surgery. Two cases had acute reaction to amphotericin B infusion, one had active lupus nephritis with renal insufficiency, and one was considered treatment failure from amphotericin B. The patients received liposomal amphotericin B at the total doses of 4.55-8.85 g. Two cases of mucormycosis were considered to be successfully treated. In cases of aspergillosis, one was considered improved and another one with immunocompromised status died with active disease. From our experience, surgery is the main treatment for patients with invasive fungal sinusitis and liposomal amphotericin B is an effective alternative drug for adjuvant medical treatment. However, the degree of immunosuppression of the patients, the extension of fungal sinusitis and perhaps the species of fungus are important factors determining the clinical response.
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PMID:Treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis with liposomal amphotericin B: a report of four cases. 1146 Sep 76

Family planning and pregnancy are important and usually problematic issues for a young woman with lupus nephritis. Moderate renal insufficiency and previous use of alkylating cytotoxic drugs are associated with decreased fertility. Oral contraceptives containing synthetic estrogens are contraindicated in women with active lupus nephritis, uncontrolled hypertension, history of thromboembolic diseases or high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. Mild flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are common during pregnancy, severe renal flares and permanent impairment of renal function are uncommon. The outlook of pregnancy for women with lupus nephritis is usually favourable if the disease (both renal and nonrenal) has been quiescent for at least 6 months before pregnancy, and if, at conception, serum creatinine is less than 140 micromol/l, proteinuria less than 3 g/24 h and blood pressure controlled. The risk of fetal loss is, however, at least 2-3 times higher than in the normal population and pre-eclampsia, prematurity and fetal growth retardation frequently complicate these pregnancies. Especially poor fetal outcome is associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Pregnancies in women with lupus nephritis require intense fetal and maternal surveillance.
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PMID:Pregnancy and lupus nephritis. 1167 60

The first case of a cutaneous cryptococcosis associated with systemic erythematous lupus (SLE) diagnosed in our Mycology Reference Centre is presented: a 24-year-old female patient diagnosed with SLE, nephrotic syndrome, arterial hypertension, renal insufficiency due to glomerulonephritis type IV and cellulitis in the right thigh and gluteus. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated by cutaneous biopsy and haemoculture. Cryptococcal antigen was detected in serum by the latex agglutination test. As the patient did not respond to fluconazol intravenous treatment, amphotericin B administration was performed. She died of acute renal insufficiency.
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PMID:Case report. Cutaneous cryptococcosis in a patient with systemic erythematous lupus. 1176 10

Pancreatitis is a well-established but unusual complication of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). It is also an unusual complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, TTP occurring as a consequence of acute pancreatitis in a patient with SLE has never been reported. We report a 24-year-old African American woman with active systemic lupus (SLE) who developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) following an episode of acute pancreatitis. The TTP was manifested by low-grade fever, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal insufficiency, altered mental status, seizures and thrombocytopenia. The patient was initially treated with pulse corticosteroids with inadequate response and subsequently with daily plasmaphresis, leading to full remission. This case represents first report of pancreatitis leading to TTP in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Lupus 2003
PMID:Pancreatitis leading to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and review of literature. 1263 Jul 59

Improvement in the prognosis of SLE prognosis has led to considering infertility therapy. The earliest reports displayed complications such as SLE revealed by ovulation induction or thrombophlebitis. Fertility is known to be normal in women with SLE, excepting amenorrhea accompanying severe flare-ups, renal insufficiency-related hypofertility and ovarian failure secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy. Anti-phospholipid antibodies are suspected to cause defective nidation and placental ischemia. An exponential rise of serum estradiol is observed irrespective of the ovulation induction protocol used, leading to SLE flare-up and thrombosis. We have experience with 114 cycles in 21 women with SLE and/or APS. A complication (fetal loss, SLE flare-up, thrombophlebitis) revealed the underlying disease in 8 women. Eighteen pregnancies led to 9 live-births, 4 fetal deaths and 5 embryonic losses. Pregnancy rate was higher after ovulation induction using gonadotropins (25% per cycle), than clomiphene (4%). Pregnancy rate was similar after IVFETE, whether the protocol was planned or not. However, three-quarters of the pregnancies after unplanned IVFETE led to abortions. On the contrary, 6 out of 7 pregnancies after planned IVFETE led to live-births. Two women developed thrombophlebitis after gonadotropins therapy. A SLE flare-up appeared after 13 out of 62 cycles, with a flare-up rate higher after gonadotropins (27% per cycle) than clomiphene therapy (6%), and after an unplanned (30%) than a planned procedure (10%). In conclusion, ovulation induction therapy can reveal SLE or APS. Clomiphene complications are uncommon. When gonadotropin therapy is considered, a preventive anti-inflammatory therapy should be discussed in SLE patients, in conjunction with heparin and/or anti-aggregate therapy for those with asymptomatic anti-phospholipid antibodies or prior thrombotic events.
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PMID:[Ovulation induction therapy and systemic lupus erythematosus]. 1274 58

Among connective tissue diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus is the illness that is most concerned by hormonal life events. The sex ratio is 9/1, and symptoms begin mostly during the third decade, sometimes during birth pill contraception or during pregnancy. As soon as systemic lupus is under control of an efficient treatment, pregnancy is no longer contra-indicated. A medical multidisciplinary surveillance is required. Complicated pregnancy concerns mother and baby. Lupus flares are more frequent during the second and third trimesters as well as during the post-partum period. Usually the intensity is moderate. Severe flares concern patients with renal involvement, hypertension and renal insufficiency and are mostly seen in patients with unplanified pregnancy and yet with still active lupus. Foetal death occurs in 10-30% of the cases, depending on the lupus activity and severity (renal lupus). Prematurity remains an important cause of morbidity (30% of live births). Foetal deaths and prematurity are even more frequent if the patient has an antiphospholipid syndrome. Neonatal cutaneous lupus and auriculo-ventricular congenital heart block is infrequent (1% of SLE patients with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies). Among other connective tissue diseases, polymyositis has a very severe obstetrical prognosis for both mother and foetus. Among primary vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, as found during pregnancy, can herald a very bad prognosis.
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PMID:[Hormonal life in systemic lupus and other connective tissue diseases]. 1449 21

The etiologic evaluation of pericardial effusion is frequently unsuccessful when noninvasive methods are used. To determine the cause of the current episode, all patients with echographically identified pericardial effusion from May 1998 to December 2002 underwent noninvasive diagnostic testing of blood, throat, and stool samples. Patients with postpericardiotomy syndrome were excluded. To analyze the value of our tests, we tested randomly selected blood donors as negative controls. Among 204 included patients, 107 (52.4%) had a final etiologic diagnosis: the etiology of 52 was highly suspected at first examination and later confirmed (thyroid deficiency, 5 cases; systemic lupus erythematous, 7; rheumatoid arthritis, 7; scleroderma, 3; cancer, 25; and renal insufficiency, 5). A definite etiologic diagnosis was made in 11 patients from pericardial fluid analysis (cancer, 5 cases; tuberculosis, 3; Streptococcus pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and Actinomyces, 1 case each). Among 141 patients considered to have idiopathic pericarditis, 44 (32.1%) gained an etiologic diagnosis by our systematic testing strategy. This included serologic evaluation of serum (Coxiella burnetii, 10 cases; Bartonella quintana, 1; Legionella pneumophila, 1; Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 4; influenza virus, 1), viral culture of throat swabs (enterovirus, 8 cases; and adenovirus, 1), high-level antinuclear antibodies (>1/400, 3 cases), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (15 abnormal results). Antibodies to Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus, enterovirus recovered from rectal swabs, and low-level antinuclear antibodies were seen with equal frequency in patients and controls. Using our evaluation strategy, the number of pericardial effusions classified as idiopathic was less than in other series. Systematic testing for Q fever, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, thyroid abnormalities, and antinuclear antibodies, accompanied by viral throat cultures, frequently enabled us to diagnose diseases not initially suspected in patients with pericardial effusion.
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PMID:Etiologic diagnosis of 204 pericardial effusions. 1466 88


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