Abstract
A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus retinopathy showed resolution of subretinal edema documented with fluorescein angiography. Subsequently at autopsy, immunofluorescence studies disclosed ocular deposition of immunoglobulins in the vascular layer of choroid capillaries and basement membranes of ciliary processes and bulbar conjunctivas. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first reported documentation of probable immune-complex ocular vasculitis in lupus retinopathy using immunofluorescent techniques, and they support the hypothesis that lupus retinopathy is caused by immune complex deposition as are other manifestations of SLE.
Publication types
-
Case Reports
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Adolescent
-
Choroid / immunology
-
Complement System Proteins / analysis
-
Conjunctiva / immunology
-
Edema / etiology
-
Edema / immunology
-
Eye / blood supply
-
Eye / immunology*
-
Eye Diseases / etiology*
-
Female
-
Humans
-
Immune Complex Diseases / etiology*
-
Immunoglobulin A / isolation & purification
-
Immunoglobulin G / isolation & purification
-
Immunoglobulin M / isolation & purification
-
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
-
Properdin / analysis
-
Retinal Diseases / etiology
-
Retinal Diseases / immunology
-
Vasculitis / etiology
-
Vasculitis / immunology
Substances
-
Immunoglobulin A
-
Immunoglobulin G
-
Immunoglobulin M
-
Properdin
-
Complement System Proteins