Recurrence of lupus nephritis after kidney transplantation.

The frequency and outcome of recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN) among recipients of a kidney allograft vary among single-center reports. From the United Network for Organ Sharing files, we estimated the period prevalence and predictors of RLN in recipients who received a transplant between 1987 and 2006 and assessed the effects of RLN on allograft failure and recipients' survival. Among 6850 recipients of a kidney allograft with systemic lupus erythematosus, 167 recipients had RLN, 1770 experienced rejection, and 4913 control subjects did not experience rejection.

Clinical and immunologic manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease in a Miami population compared to a Midwestern US Caucasian population.

Objective: A cross-sectional study of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was performed to determine if there were identifiable differences in the clinical expression of MCTD associated with race or ethnicity.

Methods: Miami, Florida, and Midwestern US (Missouri) Caucasian MCTD cohorts were studied. Clinical and laboratory features of the 2 MCTD cohorts were compared.

Perioperative considerations in the autologous breast reconstruction patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Following mastectomy, women with breast cancer are faced with choices for reconstruction. In women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with or without antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), concurrent morbidities are important considerations when deciding the method of reconstruction. The 2 cases we present represent the variable spectrum of SLE and/or APS and their potential complications.

Sequential therapies for proliferative lupus nephritis.

Background: Long-term therapy with cyclophosphamide enhances renal survival in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis; however, the beneficial effect of cyclophosphamide must be weighed against its considerable toxic effects.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with lupus nephritis (12 in World Health Organization class III, 46 in class IV, and 1 in class Vb) received induction therapy consisting of a maximum of seven monthly boluses of intravenous cyclophosphamide (0.5 to 1.

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (Etanercept): experience as a therapy for sight-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.

Purpose: To review the efficacy of Etanercept as an alternate therapy for treatment of necrotizing anterior scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration unresponsive to traditional therapies.

Methods: A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with Etanercept for vision-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.

Results: Etanercept alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies controlled inflammation, arrested tissue ulceration, and in many cases permitted tapering or cessation of toxic immunosuppressive therapies.