SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system auto-immune disease in which organs and
cells undergo damage, mediated by tissue binding autoantibodies and immune complexes.

The immune system loses the ability to differentiate between foreign cells and it’s own cells and
tissues

Antibodies against the immune system are formed

The immune complexes that are formed build up in the tissue causing inflammation, injury to the
tissue, and pain,

Organ system commonly affected includes kidneys, CNS, PNS, heart, lungs and circulatory
system.

Abnormal immunologic function formation of antibodies against self antigen underlies the
pathogenesis of SLE

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Triggering agents --- abnormal immune regulation-- T-cells ---B-cells---- autoantibody formation
immune complex formation and complement activation ----tissue injury and damage.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

Musculoskeletal : Arthritis and Arthralgia

Constitutional : Fatigue, Fever, Weight loss

Mucocutaneous : Butterfly rash, Photosensitivity, Raynaud’s phenomenon, Discoid lesions

CNS : Psychosis, Seizures

Pulmonary : Pleuritis, Pleural effusion

CVS : Pericarditis, Myocarditis, Heart murmur, Hypertension

Renal : lupus nephritis

Gastrointestinal : Nausea, Abdominal pain, Bowel hemorrhage

Hematologic : Anemia, Leukopenia ,Thrombocytopenia  Lymphadenopathy

Characterized by chronic inflammation

Auto-antibodies formed against variety of self antigens

Anti-double stranded DNA,RNA and histones

Antibodies against cell surface antigens on RBC’s and/or platelets

Tissue damage caused by Type III hypersensitivity reactions

Immune circulating complexes formed against self deposit on tissues

Vasculitis, synovitis, glomerulonephritis