Histone reactivity of drug-induced antinuclear antibodies. A comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Anti-histone antibodies were measured in a group of patients with drug-induced lupus erythematosus and in asymptomatic patients with drug-induced antinuclear antibodies (DANA). Anti-histone antibodies were found in the majority of drug-induced lupus patients. DANA patients had lower titers of ANA and no detectable anti-histone activity. Longitudinal studies of the drug-induced lupus patients showed a gradual fall in the ANA and anti-histone titers. Our data suggest that the immune response in the drug-induced lupus patients is similar to but more intense than that seen in the DANA patients. Possible factors altering the immune response in these 2 groups are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006657:Histones