Difference between revisions of "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus"

Revision as of 18:59, 21 December 2010

Also known as: SLE — Multi-Systemic Immune Mediated Disease

Introduction

Systemic Lupus Erythematous is an immune-mediated disease which can affect many different organ systems. The immune system is directed against various tissues of the body and immune complexes cause a type III hypersensitivity reaction. The condition is documented in cats and dogs but the etiology is not known. The disease has been reported in colonies of dogs suggesting that there may be a genetic or infectious component to the cause.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs depend on the tissues and organ systems affected by the condition. A combination of the following signs may be seen:

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
Polyarthritis
Glomerulonephritis
Vasculitis
Dermatitis
Seizures

Diagnosis of SLE is made on a combination of clinical findings, haemotologic, serum biochemistry and immunological testing results. Diagnosis can be challenging as the condition can mimic a number of other diseases. Ruling out differential diagnoses will help in securing a definitive diagnosis.

Laboratory Tests

A positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is supportive of a diagnosis of SLE.

Treatment

Treatment is with immunosuppressive drugs. Corticosteroids are the most widely used immunosuppresive drugs, prednisolone or dexamethasone is used alone or in combination with azathioprine or cyclophosphamide in more severe cases. Typically the dose can be tapered once the condition is under control.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good with appropriate treatment.

Literature Search

Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus publications

References

Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (2nd Edition) Elsevier Science
Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial
Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{OpenPagesTop}}
+Also known as: '''''SLE — Multi-Systemic Immune Mediated Disease
-Also known as: '''''SLE'''''
 ==Introduction==
-Systemic Lupus Erythematous is an immune-mediated disease which can affect '''many different organ systems'''. It is a primary autoimmune disease in which the body loses 'self-tolerance' towards autoantigens and mounts an inappropriate attack on various target tissues of the body. The pathology can be attributed to true autoantibody binding, '''immune complex deposition''' causing a [[Type III Hypersensitivity|type III hypersensitivity reaction]], or cell-mediated autoimmunity.
+Systemic Lupus Erythematous is an immune-mediated disease which can affect many different organ systems. The immune system is directed against various tissues of the body and immune complexes cause a [[Type III Hypersensitivity|type III hypersensitivity reaction]]. The condition is documented in cats and dogs but the etiology is not known. The disease has been reported in colonies of dogs suggesting that there may be a genetic or infectious component to the cause.
-The most comprehensively studied autoantibodies formed are the '''Anti-Nuclear Antibodies''' (ANA) which are found in up to 100% of cases reported and are important in the diagnosis of the disease. These target a number of nuclear components, including double-stranded DNA, histones and extractable nuclear antigens.
-The '''aetiology''' of the disease is multifactorial, involving genetics, immunological disorder, viral infection and hormonal and ultraviolet light modulation.
-The condition is uncommon in dogs and rare in cats and horses.
-==Clinical Signs==
-Clinical signs are varied and changeable. SLE is able to mimic numerous diseases and is sometimes called ''''the great imitator''''.
-<u>Dogs</u>: there is no age predilection, but male are more commonly affected.
-The most common manifestations are: '''fever''' (constant or cyclic), '''polyarthritis''' (non-erosive, non-deforming), proteinuria and '''skin disease'''.
-Skin changes include: periorbital alopecia, seborrhea, oral ulceration, [[Discoid Lupus Erythematosus]], mucocutaneous ulcerations, footpad ulceration, panniculitis and urticaria. Skin changes can be multifocal or generalised, and commonly involve skin poorly covered by hair. Lesions may be exacerbated by exposure to light.
-Other common manifestations include: '''[[:Category:Anaemia|anaemia]], leucopaenia, peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly'''.
-Other reported syndromes include: [[pericarditis]], [[thrombocytopaenia]], polymyositis, myocarditis, pneumonitis, pleuritis, neurologic disorders ([[seizures]], meningitis, psychosis) and lymphoedema.
-<u>Cats</u>: no age predilection, but Siamese, Himalayan and Persian breeds may be predisposed.
-Syndromes reported include: haematological abnormalities, neurological abnormalities, fever, lymphadenopathy, polyarthritis, myopathy, oral ulceration, conjunctivitis, [[:Category:Renal Failure|'''renal failure''']] and subclinical pulmonary disease.
-Only 20% of cats will have skin lesions such as seborrhea, erythema, [[alopecia]] and scarring on the face, pinnae and paws.
 ==Diagnosis==
-Diagnosis of SLE is made on a combination of clinical findings, haemotologic, serum biochemistry and immunological testing results. Diagnosis can be '''challenging''' as the condition can mimic a number of other diseases. Ruling out differential diagnoses will help in securing a definitive diagnosis.
+===Clinical Signs===
+Clinical signs depend on the tissues and organ systems affected by the condition. A combination of the following signs may be seen:
-The most widely accepted diagnostic criteria for the disease is that an animal should have at least '''2 separate clinically and serologically defined manifestations of autoimmunity in addition to a high serum titre of ANA'''.
+* Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia
+* Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
-'''Haematology and biochemistry''' may reveal: anaemia with or without a positive direct [[Coagulation Tests|Coombs' test result]], thrombocytopaenia, leucopaenia or leucocytosis, proteinuria and hypergammaglobulinaemia.
+* Polyarthritis
+* Glomerulonephritis
-The '''ANA test''' is considered the most sensitive serological test for SLE. However, it is not the most specific of tests, and can be positive in up to 20% of dogs with infectious diseases, particularly [[leishmaniasis]]. It is important to record the titre and compare it with normal values for the same laboratory.
+* Vasculitis
+* Dermatitis
+* Seizures
-The Lupus Erythematosus '''(LE) test''' is not as valuable, varies from day to day, and lacks specificity and sensitivity.
-'''Pathology''' findings in the skin include: lymphohistiocytic interface dermatitis, thickened basement membrane, vasculitis, subepidermal vesicles, basal cell degeneration.
+Diagnosis of SLE is made on a combination of clinical findings, haemotologic, serum biochemistry and immunological testing results. Diagnosis can be challenging as the condition can mimic a number of other diseases. Ruling out differential diagnoses will help in securing a definitive diagnosis.
+===Laboratory Tests===
+A positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is supportive of a diagnosis of SLE.
 ==Treatment==
-Treatment is with '''immunosuppressive drugs'''.
+Treatment is with immunosuppressive drugs. Corticosteroids are the most widely used immunosuppresive drugs, prednisolone or dexamethasone is used alone or in combination with azathioprine or cyclophosphamide in more severe cases. Typically the dose can be tapered once the condition is under control.
-The initial agent of choice is large doses of systemic glucocorticoids such as '''prednisolone'''.
-Other drugs may be useful in combination if the response is not satisfactory, and '''azathioprine or cyclophosphamide''' can be used. Typically the dose can be tapered once the condition is under control.
-'''Splenectomy''' may be necessary in animals with severe anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. '''Vincristine''' can be useful when thrombocytopaenia is severe.
-Animals with SLE are prone to infections and therefore any infections must be identified and dealt with effectively and quickly.
-Specific supportive care may be necessary for animals with renal disease, such as dietary manipulation.
-'''ANA titres''' can be monitored throughout treatment as levels usually fall with clinical improvement, thought the antibody may persist at lower titres during clinical remission.
 ==Prognosis==
-Prognosis is '''unpredictable''' and depends on the organs involved.
+Prognosis is good with appropriate treatment.
-The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis.
-In general, dogs with muscle, joint and skin disease respond more reliably to medical treatment and remain in remission for longer than animals with severe haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia or glomerulonephritis.
+==Literature Search==
+[[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]
-Over 40% of dogs with SLE are '''dead within 1 year''' after the diagnosis is made, either from disease or from euthanasia.
-{{Learning
+Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
-|flashcards = [[Veterinary Dentistry Q&A 15]]
+<br><br><br>
-|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28systemic+lupus+erythematosus%29+OR+title%3A%28multisystemic+immune+mediated+disease%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus publications]
+[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28systemic+lupus+erythematosus%29+OR+title%3A%28multisystemic+immune+mediated+disease%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus publications]
-}}
 ==References==
-Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) '''Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (2nd Edition)''' ''Elsevier Science''
+* Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) '''Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (2nd Edition)''' ''Elsevier Science''
+* Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''' ''Merial''
-Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''' ''Merial''
+* Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''
-Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''
-Muller, G. (2001) '''Small animal dermatology''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
-Pasquini, C. (1999) '''Tschauner's Guide to Small Animal Clinics''' ''Sudz Publishing''
-{{review}}
-{{OpenPages}}
-[[Category:Expert Review]]
-[[Category:Integumentary System - Autoimmune Reactions]]
 [[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]
 [[Category:Immunological Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Immunological Diseases - Dog]]
-[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Horse]]
-[[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Dog]]