Preena Joshi Flashcards
Genetic susceptibility factors for SLE
- More common in people with early complement protein deficiency - (c1q, c2, c4 - results in lack of clearance of immune complexes)
- Histocompatibility genes (6p21.33; 6p21.32). HLA B8, DR2, DR3
Which finding would suggest drug induced SLE?
Anti-histone antibody
What are the major subcategories of SLE pathophysiology
- Type II hypersensitivity reaction (cytotoxic antibody mediated attack) mainly
- Type III hypersensitivity reaction (immune complex mediated) to a lesser degree
Describe the type II pathophysiology in SLE
Type II Hypersensitivity
- Autoantibodies binding directly to surface of blood cells - especially erythrocytes but all leukocytes to lesser extent
- Results in pancytopenia and increase susceptibility to infection
Effect of SLE on the kidneys
- Can be nephrotic (>3.5 g/day protein) or nephritic (bleeding and inflammation) - usually nephritis doe
- IC deposition results in activation of complement (classical) via a type III hypersensitivity reaction
- Most commonly results in diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis seen as subendothelial,intramembranous and/or mesangial deposition of IgG with C3 deposition
- LM will show wire looping in kidneys and granular immunofluorescence
Effect of SLE on the heart?
- LSE disease (Libman Sacks Endocarditis)
- Verrucous thrombi (nonbacterial vegetations on both sides of the mitral and aortic valves)
- These vegetation may result form immune complex deposition.
- The condition may progress to valve fibrosis resulting in regurgitation or possible stenosis.
Signs and symptoms of SLE with justification
Rash (malar or discoid) - Skin infiltration by leukocytes and other immune cells in response to UV light are crucial to the development of CLE lesions.
Arthritis (inflammatory, migratory, nonerosive - monoarthritis is rare in SLE)
Serositis (pericarditis, pleuritis - manifests as chest pain and SOB
Haematoligcal dysfuction - pancytopenia - manifests as fatigue
Oropharyngeal/mouth ulcers - painless but prolonged and recurrent
Renal impairment - manifests as edema, hematuria, proteinura, oliguria
Photosensitivity
Antinuclear antibodies
Immunoligic disorder
Neuroligcal disroder (seizure, psychosis)
Other:
Alopecia
Cardiovascular: HTN, dysrhytmias, venous/arterial thrombosis
Fibronyalgia
Raynaud’s phenomenin - colour changes of the digits induced by cold or emotion
- Triphasic colour change from white to blue to red in fingers and toies
- Bilateral
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Lymphadenopathy
- peripheral that is regional rather than generalised (cervical and axillar regions)
- Non tender around 3-4 cm
- Abdominal pain and diarrhoea
First line investigations of SLE
1st to order:
- FBC and differential:
anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia; rarely pancytopenia
- Leukopenia is usually caused by lymphopenia rather than neutropenia. - Activated PTT:
May be prolonged in patients with antiphospholipid - U & E:
Elevated due to renal manifestations - ESR and CRP:
Non specific
ESR due to increase immunoglobulins - ANA, anti dsDNA, Smith antigen
- Anti dsDNA suggestive of renal impairment
- ANA most sensitive
Clinically relevant ANA are IgG
- Positive ANA in itself may also indicate other connective tissue disease such as RA, Sjogren’s, thyroid disease and certain drugs
Ddx of SLE
- RA
Joint X ray would show symmetrical erosive arthrtis in RA but non erosive in SLE - Antiphospholipid syndrome
Recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis
Recurrent miscarriages
Anticardiolipin IgG or IgM present in moderate or high levels on >2 occasions at leat 6 weeks apart
Lupus anticoagulant detected >2 occasiona at least 6 weeks apart
B glycoprotein positive
Veneral disease research labortaty test: flase positive due to cardiolipin (Syphillis) - Systemic sceloris
Raynouds phenomenon that ulcerates (does not ulcerate in SLE)
Patients with systemic sclerosis have characteristic sclerodactyly and calcinosis, not present in SLE.
positive anti-centromere antibodies or anti topoisomerase antibodies - Mixed connective tissue disease
Tend to lack anti-Sm, anti-Ro and anti dsDNA - Adult Still’s disease
Variant of juvenile RA characterised by seronegative chronic polyarthritis with systemic manifestations
Elevated ferritin
Rash is usually only seen in febrile peroids and is usually salmon coloured - Lyme disease
Exposure to ticks
Lyme specific IgM or IgG
Presence of ANA common but dsDNA and Smith are not - HIV
HIV ELISA positive
ANA may be present but dsDNA and Smiths are not
CMV
Serology positive
ANA may be present but dsDNA and Smiths are not
8. Infectious Mononucleosis In patients with EBV Positive agglutination Septic arthritis Positive culture joint aspiration
Genes associated with SLE
HLA B8, DR2, DR3
Which virus may trigger SLE?
EBV
Antibodies in SLE and % of times that they wil be positive in people with SLE
- ANA (most sensitive) 95%
- Anti dsDNA (highly specific) - 60%
- Anti Rf - 40%
- Anti ENA - (Anti RO, La, Sm RNP) - 20-30%
- Antiphospholipid Ab’s (lupus anticoag and anticardiolipin) - also assocaited with Shogrens (15-20% ) autoimmune thyroid disease (5-10%)
Best tests for monitoring SLE activity
- Anti dsDNA
- C3 and C4 (denotes consumption of complement, hence C3 and C4 low, and
C3d and C4d high, their degradation products). - ESR
Relationship between ESR and CRP
if ESR high but CRP normal think about SLE whenever someone has a multisystem disorder
If CRP is high think of infection, serositis or arthritis
Which drugs may worsen idiopathic SLE
- Sulphonamides
2. OCP
Tx of SLE acute flares
(eg haemolytic anaemia, nephritis, severe pericarditis
or CNS disease)
- IV Cyclophosphamide
2. High dose prednisolone
Tx of SLE cutaneous symtoms
- Topical steroids
2. High factor sunblock
Maintenance Mx of SLE
- NSAIDs
- Hydrochloroquine (joint and sin)
- Low does steroids for chronicity
- Azathioprine,
methotrexate and mycophenolate are used as steroid sparing treatment
Tx of lupus nephritis
May require more intensive immunosuppression with steroids
and cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate
What is the injury in a”floating shoulder injury”
Fracture of the distal clavicle and neck of the scapula
What is the common mechanism of injury in a floating shoulder injury
Occurs due to high energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, fall from height, crush injury, gunshot wound
What is the artery at most risk in a floating shoulder injury
Axillary - see pics in joint anatomy sheet
What are the main componeNts of anasTAmoses around the scapula?
SEE IMAGE IN JOINT ANAT. SHEET
- The Arterial Anastomosis around Scapula is principally created between the branches of the first part of the subclavian and the third part of the axillary arteries.
1. Suprascapular artery (from the thyrocervical trunk)
2. Circumflex scapular artery (subscapular artery, from axillary)
3. Dorsal scapular artery (of the subclavian)
4. Intercostal arteries (thoracic aorta) - SEE IMAGE IN JOINT ANATOMY SHEET
What is the clinical significance of the scapular anatamoses
The Arterial Anastomosis around Scapula is principally created between the branches of the first part of the subclavian and the third part of the axillary arteries.
If the subclavian and axillary arteries are blocked anywhere between 1st part of subclavian artery and 3rd part of axillary artery, the scapular anastomosis acts as a potential pathway (collateral circulation) between the first part of the subclavian artery and the third part of the axillary artery, to ensure the adequate circulation to the upper limb.