Cavum Vergae, Liability, and Steroid Treatment: Manic Episode, Brain Imaging Findings, and Clinical Follow-up of a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case

Objective. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease identified by a plethora of production of autoantibodies. Autoreactive T cells may play an important role in the process. Attenuated T cell vaccination (TCV) has proven to benefit some autoimmune diseases by deleting or suppressing pathogenic T cells. However, clinical evidence for TCV in SLE is still limited. Therefore, this self-controlled study concentrates on the clinical effects of TCV on SLE patients. Methods. 16 patients were enrolled in the study; they accepted TCV regularly. SLEDAI, clinical symptoms, blood parameters including complements 3 and 4 levels, ANA, and anti-ds-DNA antibodies were tested. In addition, the side effects and drug usage were observed during the patients’ treatment and follow-up. Results. Remissions in clinical symptoms such as facial rash, vasculitis, and proteinuria were noted in most patients. There are also evident reductions in SLEDAI, anti-ds-DNA antibodies, and GC dose and increases in C3 and C4 levels, with no pathogenic side effects during treatment and follow-up. Conclusions. T cell vaccination is helpful in alleviating and regulating systemic lupus erythematosus manifestation.

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Doença Intersticial Pulmonar Grave e Mania Induzida por Corticosteróides em Doente com Lúpus Eritematoso Sistémico e Síndrome de Sjögren Secundária

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.7297 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 246 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sofia Silvério Serra ◽

Teresa Pedrosa ◽

Sandra Falcão ◽

Jaime Cunha Branco

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Sjögren’S Syndrome ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Sjögren's Syndrome ◽

Manic Episode ◽

Sjogren’S Syndrome ◽

Sjogren's Syndrome ◽

Neurological Involvement ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Sjögren‘S Syndrome

Interstitial lung disease occurs in up to 25% of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and 2% - 8 % of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Corticosteroid therapy remains the main treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. However, it can be associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders especially with prednisolone at a dose of more than 40 mg/day. We present the case of a 51-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome with severe pulmonary involvement four years after the diagnosis. Chest computed tomography revealed neofibrosis and ground glass appearance pattern. After increasing the dose of prednisolone to 60 mg/day, the patient presented a manic episode. There was need of hospitalization and the situation was considered to be secondary to corticosteroids at high doses. Central neurological involvement by organic disease was excluded.We introduced monthly perfusion of cyclophosphamide for six months and later started mycophenolate mofetil 2 g/day, reducing prednisolone to 10 mg/day and maintaining hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/day, with control of disease activity.

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