Connective Tissue Dx Flashcards
What’s an ANA?
Anti-nuclear antibody test, loosely associated w/ underlying autoimmune dxs
Looks for antibodies that target self-antigens in the nucleus of cells
Labs use different methods to test for ANAs
What does the ANA test homogenous staining pattern imply?
Ab directed against chromatin, histones, proteins, and DNA
Drug-induced SLE
Sjogren’s syndrome
SLE
What does the ANA test speckled staining pattern imply?
Directed against Sm antigens, not as uniform as centromere
Mixed Connective tissue dx
Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
Sjogren’s syndrome
SLE
What does an ANA test centromere staining pattern imply?
Resting cells = dispersed evenly
Mitotic cells = localized to chromosomes
Limited Systemic Sclerosis (CREST)
What does an ANA test nucleolar staining pattern imply?
Staining of nucleolus, Ab against RNA
Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
SLE
What criteria is used to support an SLE diagnosis?
Malar rash Oral ulcers Photosensitivity Arthritis Hematologic disorders Positive ANA Kidney dx (nephritis) Neurologic dx (seizures, psychosis)
Cardiac valve dx
Reydaud’s phenomenon
Atherosclerosis
Pericarditis/pleurisy
What is SLE? Type of hypersensitivity? Progression? Sex? Race? Environmental factors? Pt most likely to die from?
Autoimmune Inflammatory disorder, Ab to nuclear antigens
- T3 hypersensitivity
- remissions and relapses
- F > M
- AA & Hispanics > white, poor socioeconomic status
- UV light, EBV
- atherosclerosis or kidney dx
What’s the serology findings for SLE?
ANA pos
- anti-dsDNA = correlates w/ dx activity
- Sm (Smith)
Dec complement (C3 & C4) d/t consumption - normalizes in remission
What dx process is often associated w/ SLE? Explain + tx.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS)
- 3 types of antibodies (one = false positive for syphilis, two = lupus anticoagulant, three = anti-cardiolipin > Beta2GP1)
- tx: anticoagulation (Warfarin, Heparin/LMWH in pregnancy)
Cotton wool spots on the retina may suggest what?
SLE/APS retiopathy
- many things cause cotton wool spots though
What are the serology findings in Lupus-like syndrome/Drug-induced?
ANA pos
- anti-histone antibodies (homogenous stain pattern)
What drug class can cause an SLE flare?
Sulfa antibiotics
What antibodies convey neonatal lupus? What’s a symptom in the neonate?
Anti Ro (SSA) Anti La (SSB)
Permanent/complete heart block
What’s the tx for SLE?
Avoid sun exposure - wear sunscreen NSAIDs Corticosteroids Hydroxychloroquine
What’s a Type III Hypersensitivity response? What’s it associated w/?
Immune complex-mediated > complement activation > recruitment of leukocytes > release of cytokines and enzymes
SLE
What is Discoid Lupus?
Chronic skin condition w/ red, inflamed, crusty/scaling patchy lesions
What is Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) generally? What are the three types?
Progressive dx involving the thickening/hardening of the skin w/ fibrosis of skin and organs
- obliterates eccrine glands > dry itchy skin
Diffuse (dcSSc), Limited (lcSSc), Localized
Differentiate between the different variants of Scleroderma:
Diffuse: systemic/diffuse, extremities + trunk involved, early & progressive organ involvement, worst prognosis, Raynaud (later), Scleroderma Renal Crisis
Limited: face/neck and distal extremities, pulmonary HTN and Raynaud’s (early), CREST syndrome, indolent course w/ good prognosis
Localized: benign, affects children, no Raynaud’s or systemic sxs, presents as areas of discolored skin (patches = morphea, coalesced patches = generalized morphea)