Antinuclear antibody-negative systemic lupus erythematosus in a case with pregnancy

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Oct;32(10):3273-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-010-1487-1. Epub 2010 Apr 13.

Abstract

We described a 30-year-old pregnant woman developing antinuclear antibodies (ANA)-negative systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) accompanied with arthritis, malar rash, lymphopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pericardial and pleural effusion, proteinuria and seizures. All serum autoantibodies except anti-Ro antibody were negative. An artificially induced abortion was performed to prevent SLE deterioration. Steroid and cyclophosphamide therapy were effective for this patient. During the 2-year follow-up period, her ANA and other SLE-related autoantibodies in serum remained negative. This case suggests that ANA may not be required in the pathogenesis of SLE, even in the case with pregnancy, and ANA-negative SLE may also have a dangerous clinical course.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Therapeutic
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / immunology
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • SS-A antibodies
  • Steroids