Immunosuppressants in systemic lupus erythematosus – treatment options and potential toxicity

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Lymphocyte apoptosis, macrophage function and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

INTRODUCTION: Increased lymphocyte apoptosis and defects in macrophage removal of apoptotic cells have been suggested to contribute to the development of SLE. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis, macrophage function as determined by the serum levels of neopterin …published_or_final_versio

Oral colonization of yeasts and coliforms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome

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Efficacy of chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in an endemic area

BACKGROUND: Chemoprophylaxis has been advocated for protection against tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompromised hosts. Evidence for the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroid is lacking. In this study, we examined the efficacy of isoniazid (INAH) prophylaxis in SLE patients in Hong Kong. METHODOLOGY: Records of patients from an inception cohort (1989-2001) of Chinese patients with SLE were reviewed. Episodes of TB that were diagnosed before or after the onset of ...published_or_final_versio

Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody profiles in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

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Anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) antibodies facilitates phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

BACKGROUND : Increased apoptosis provides a continuous source autoantigens and has been suggested to have a pathogenic role in SLE. We have previously shown patients with SLE have impaired clearance of apoptotic bodies. In this study, we evaluated whether anti-beta2GPI antibodies, a subset of antiphospholipid antibodies, may have an effect on the phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies by macrophages in these patients …published_or_final_versio

Sex hormones and apoptosis and immunoglobulin production in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND: SLE is an autoimmune disease that affects predominantly female of reproductive age. Previous studies have suggested an immunomodulatory role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objectives: To examine the effects of various sex hormones on apoptosis and immunoglobulin production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SLE patients …published_or_final_versio