Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of various tissues of the body. Lupus has the potential to affect a variety of areas.
Sometimes lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and/or nervous system. When internal organs are involved, the condition is referred to as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The precise reason for the abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light, and certain medications may all play some role.
Patients have a variety of antibodies which are directed against cell nuclei, intra cytoplasmic cell constituents, immunoglobulins, thyroid and other organ specific antigens.
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The first immunological feature is lupus erythematosus (LE) cell phenomenon; here LE cell is a neutrophil containing a large pale homogenous body (LE body). LE body is the immunologically damaged nucleus of a leucocyte.
Anti nuclear antibody test are sensitive but not specific for SLE. High titre of anti-ds(double strand) DNA antibody is relatively specific for SLE. Another SLE specific antibody is anti-sm (smooth muscle) antibody.
Common complaints and symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose, facial rash (“butterfly rash”), unusual sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lungs (pleuritis) and the heart (pericarditis), and poor circulation to the fingers and toes with cold exposure (Raynaud’s phenomenon).
There is no permanent cure for SLE. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and protect organs by decreasing inflammation and/or the level of autoimmune activity in the body.