Antibodies to Viral Antigens in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Abstract Sera from 31 patients with lupus erythematosus, 31 controls matched by age and sex and 33 patients with connective tissue disorders other than SLE were examined for specific antibodies to 15 viral antigens by hemagglutination‐inhibition tests. Complement‐fixation tests were also employed to measure antibodies to measles virus and rubella virus. Sera from patients with LE had significantly higher geometric mean antibody titers than matched controls to measles, rubella, parainfluenza types 2 and 3 and reovirus type 2 antigens. When antibody levels from patients with LE were compared with those from patients with other connective tissue disorders, significant differences were noted for measles, rubella, parainfluenza types 1 and 2 and mumps antigens. Removal of nonspecific antinuclear antibodies from selected SLE sera by adsorption with mouse liver nuclear antigens failed to appreciably alter specific viral antibody. The elevated antibody levels in sera from patients with SLE are consistent with the existence of a hyperreactive immunologic state in this disorder and do not necessarily carry etiologic implications.