Autoantibodies that bind glomeruli: cross-reactivity with bacterial antigen.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the production of multiple autoantibodies. Anti-DNA antibodies are associated with glomerulonephritis in SLE. It has been shown that anti-DNA antibodies cross-react with bacterial polysaccharide and, thus, might be elicited by microbial exposure.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with features suggestive of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

We describe 8 patients who presented with fever, weight loss, anemia, and oral and/or esophageal candidiasis, and who were initially thought to have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or lymphoma. These patients fulfilled American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of arthralgias or arthritis, hematological derangements, and immunological abnormalities. Treatment was delayed because SLE did not immediately enter into the differential diagnosis.

Bone marrow necrosis and refractory HELLP syndrome in a patient with catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

We describe a 22-year-old woman who developed extensive and fatal bone marrow necrosis along with involvement of liver, lung, and central nervous system during pregnancy in the background of very high titers of antiphospholipid and anti-beta2 glycoprotein antibodies. This case illustrates a rarely recognized, potentially fatal complication of aPL in the setting of pregnancy.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis as presenting sign of cystic fibrosis in an elderly man.

Background: Although cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic disorder of children, its heterogeneous spectrum of severity lends itself to underdiagnosis in the older adult patient population where the index of suspicion is not high.

Methods: We report a 60-year-old Hispanic man with asthma who presented with progressive dyspnea and wheezing unresponsive to inhaled corticosteroid treatment. Additionally, he had clinical findings and a past history suggestive of cystic fibrosis.

Programmed electrical stimulation in patients with high-grade ventricular ectopy: electrophysiologic findings and prognosis for survival.

The significance and treatment of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) in patients without sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), sudden death, or syncope remains unclear. We undertook a prospective study of programmed electrical stimulation (up to two extrastimuli and burst pacing) in 73 patients (age 60 +/- 10 years) with high-grade VPBs who had no evidence of sustained VT, sudden death, or syncope as determined by 48 hr of monitoring in the cardiac care unit and 48 hr Holter monitoring. Fifty-six patients (76.

Coronary artery dissection secondary to coronary arteriography: case report and review.

A case of catheter-induced proximal dissection of an angiographically normal left coronary artery is reported. Dissection was not associated with pressure damping and myocardial ischemia was delayed until 1 hour after dissection occurred. Prompt recognition of this entity is essential as emergency revascularization is the treatment of choice when significant amounts of myocardium are threatened.

Ring chromosome 13 in a child with minor dysmorphic features. Irregular phenotypic expression of ring 13 syndrome.

A patient with ring chromosome 13 had some physical and stigmata that to our knowledge have not been reported in previous articles. These include alopecia, scattered pigmentation, trigonocephaly, and telecanthic fold. This case reemphasizes how mitotic instability can produce clinical features during the critical period of organogenesis.