Immunoglobulins in the Larynx in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

A patient had active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with features of dermatomyositis. Immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) and complement (C′3) identical to that found along the patient's epidermal basement membrane were detected along the laryngeal epithelial basement membrane. This, to our knowledge, previously unreported finding of immunoglobulin deposition in a noncutaneous subepithelial basement membrane supports the concept of the systemic character of this phenomenon and minimizes the importance of exposure to ultraviolet light as a possible causative factor.