Development Of Lupus-like Syndrome Research Articles

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus in childhood: Case-based review.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is the development of lupus-like syndrome following a drug exposure. DILE has been reported less frequently among children than adults. In this study, we present four children with DILE and similar published cases through a systematic literature review. We report four children (three girls and one boy) who developed DILE associated with the use of topiramate, doxycycline, etanercept, and ethosuximide. Three of them were positive for anti-histone antibodies. In all patients, the drug was discontinued and symptoms resolved completely. The literature review revealed 48 articles describing 61 children with DILE. In the evaluation of 65 patients (our 4 patients and 61 patients from the literature), the most frequently reported drugs associated with DILE were ethosuximide (n = 13) and minocycline (n = 12). Fever (n = 33), arthralgia (n = 31), rash (n = 30), and arthritis (n = 29) were the most common clinical manifestations. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in 93.5% of patients and anti-histone antibodies were detected in 72.2% of the patients. As for treatment, the responsible drug was discontinued in all patients, and corticosteroids were initiated in 53.3%. Improvement was achieved in 92.0% of patients. For children presenting with SLE features, proper drug history is crucial since DILE may be more frequent than anticipated. An association of the relevant drug with the symptoms, and resolution of symptoms on drug withdrawal provides evidence for the diagnosis of DILE.

Formation of antinuclear and double-strand DNA antibodies and frequency of lupus-like syndrome in anti-TNF-α antibody-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with induction of autoantibodies including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), double-strand (ds) DNA antibodies, and the occurrence of lupus-like syndrome (LLS). However, the clinical relevance of autoantibody formation and predictive factors are unclear. 180 IBD patients treated with anti-TNF antibodies (infliximab or adalimumab, or infliximab and adalimumab consecutively) were analyzed regarding ANA and dsDNA antibody values and the development of LLS, including factors predicting the development of LLS. In all, 44.4% of anti-TNF-treated patients had ANA titers ≥1:240, while 15.6% had dsDNA serum levels ≥9 U/mL. However, only a minority of these patients experienced clinical symptoms of LLS; 8.9% presented with mild lupus-like symptoms with no need for intervention; 1.1% had severe symptoms consistent with LLS requiring immediate stop of anti-TNF therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified age as an independent risk factor for developing ANA ≥1:240 (P < 0.001) and LLS (P = 0.002), while concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was protective against autoantibody formation (ANA: P = 0.05) and LLS development (P = 0.04). There was a significant association between dsDNA antibody values ≥9 U/mL and LLS (P = 0.02) but not between ANA titers and LLS. dsDNA antibody levels ≥9 U/mL, but not ANA titers ≥1:240, are associated with clinical symptoms of LLS. IBD patients of higher age treated with anti-TNF-α antibodies are at increased risk for development of ANA and LLS, while concomitant immunosuppressive therapy may have a protective effect.

A Practical Approach to the Use of Infliximab

Infliximab is one of the most effective treatments available for severe psoriasis. It has been used successfully to treat severe plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis, and is one of the most rapidly effective treatments available. Relative contraindications include severe infliximab hypersensitivity, severe heart failure and significant infections including tuberculosis, malignancies and demyelinating diseases. Baseline screening must include testing for tuberculosis (TB) and most advise routine chemistry screen and complete blood count (CBC). The drug is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion. The development of infusion reactions may necessitate treatment with acetaminophen, diphenhydramine and epinephrine. Pre-treatment with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine can prevent infusion reactions. Follow-up monitoring should include screening for tuberculosis, chemistry screens with liver function tests, CBC and monitoring for infection or malignancy. Side effects include reactivation of tuberculosis, exacerbation of heart failure, reactivation of hepatitis B, hepatotoxicity, exacerbation of demyelinating diseases, the development of lupus-like syndromes and infusion reactions.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors

The cytokine, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory and rheumatic diseases, in particular, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Controlled trials have shown that the TNF inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab) significantly reduce symptoms and signs, improve function and quality of life, and reduce radiologically evident damage in patients with rheumatoid diseases. For reasons that are not entirely clear, etanercept does not work in Crohn's disease. Injection site and intravenous reactions and increased risk of infection (in particular, reactivation of tuberculosis) are associated with the use of these agents. Increased risk of lymphoproliferative disease, the development of lupus-like syndromes and demyelination, including optic neuritis and reactivation of multiple sclerosis, are under evaluation in long-term follow-up studies. The TNF inhibitors are expensive (about $18000 per year), and in some patients need to be given continuously to maintain benefit, even in the presence of other immunosuppressive therapy.

Should Patients Using Minocycline Be Tested for Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibodies

Minocycline has been linked to the development of lupus-like syndromes and, occasionally, vasculitis. These syndromes occur rarely, and it is not known

Minocycline and lupuslike syndrome in acne patients.

Recently several case reports described the association between minocycline and lupuslike syndrome. Minocycline, one of the tetracyclines, is widely used to treat acne. We aimed to examine the association of exposure to minocycline and other tetracyclines with the development of lupuslike syndrome. We conducted a nested case-control study in a cohort of 27 688 acne patients aged 15 to 29 years, using data automatically recorded on general practitioners' office computers in the United Kingdom. Controls were matched to cases on age, sex, and practice. The main outcome was lupuslike syndrome defined as the occurrence of polyarthritis or polyarthralgia of unknown origin, with negative rheumatoid factor or latex agglutination test, positive or unmeasured antinuclear factor, elevated or unmeasured erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and absence of or unmeasured antinative DNA antibody levels. We identified 29 cases and selected 152 controls. Current single use of minocycline was associated with an 8.5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-35) increased risk of developing lupuslike syndrome compared with non-users and past users of tetracyclines combined. The risk of past exposure to any of the tetracyclines was closely similar to nonuse (relative risk, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.5-3.3). Current use of doxycycline, oxytetracycline, or tetracycline combined was associated with a 1.7-fold (95% CI, 0.4-8.1) increase of risk. The risk increased with longer use. Current use of minocycline increased the risk of developing lupuslike syndrome 8.5-fold in the cohort of young acne patients. The effect was stronger in longer-term users. However, the absolute risk of developing lupuslike syndrome seems to be relatively low.