title: A case of massive ascites due to lupus peritonitis with a dramatic response to steroid pulse therapy.
abstract: A 52-year-old female patient with massive ascites due to lupus peritonitis is described. Skin biopsy specimens revealed typical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in light microscopic and immunofluorescent examinations. Immune-complexes, antinuclear antibody and hypo-complementemia were detected in the peritoneal fluid. The massive ascites responded dramatically to steroid pulse therapy. The levels of circulating immune-complexes, anti-nuclear antibody and complement in sera were also improved after such therapy. It was suggested that steroid pulse therapy may be useful for massive ascites due to lupus peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tomino
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujito
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koide
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000150:complications; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D008775:Methylprednisolone