Primary lupus-associated protein-losing enteropathy.
A 79-year-old native American female with a history of diabetes mellitus, but no history of hepatic or renal disease, presented with anasarca and hypoalbuminemia. Laboratory tests for fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin and an indium III-labeled plasma transferrin nuclear scan revealed a protein-losing enteropathy. A serological test was positive for antinuclear antibody in a titer of 1:1250 with a homogeneous pattern. This finding combined with low normal serum complement levels suggested the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case is unusual in that protein-losing enteropathy was the only presenting symptoms. The late onset of this disease is also unusual.
Sunheimer
R L
RL
Department of Pathology, SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
Finck
C
C
Mortazavi
S
S
McMahon
C
C
Pincus
M R
MR
D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001798:Blood Proteins; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin