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.