title: Arthritis Rounds: Ascites as the major manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: It is uncommon for ascites secondary to severe peritoneal inflammation to be the major manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Chronic nonspecific inflammation with a granular type immunofluorescent staining along the mesothelial layer of the peritoneum and peritoneal blood vessels was demonstrated in peritoneal tissue obtained at laparotomy. Paramyxovirus-like structures were seen within vascular endothelium. The ascites diminished with high-dose prednisone and cyclophosphamide therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012700:Serositis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone