title: Interferon-gamma induced exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: A patient with presumed rheumatoid arthritis based on clinical and serological evidence was subjected by her physician to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) therapy and developed a life threatening multiorgan flare of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pulse cyclophosphamide therapy in conjunction with plasmapheresis led to complete remission. Retrospective analysis of serum drawn before IFN-gamma was started revealed high DNA binding capacity. Thus, similar to observations in lupus-prone animals, IFN-gamma may have induced an exacerbation of preexisting SLE.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Machold
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smolen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma