title: Role of antiribosomal P protein antibodies in the diagnosis of lupus isolated to the central nervous system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When lupus presents with isolated central nervous system findings, the usual serologic markers are often absent and diagnostic difficulty with a delay in treatment is common.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the usefulness of antiribosomal P protein antibodies in the diagnosis of lupus isolated to the central nervous system when results of tests for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies are negative.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  University medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient was evaluated and treated on referral and follow up for 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We describe a patient with acute onset of psychosis followed by coma and focal clonic movements with undetectable DNA antibodies. Serum antiribosomal P protein antibody levels were elevated. Steroid therapy was followed by marked clinical improvement and a decrease in antibody titer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiribosomal P protein antibodies provide an important confirmatory test for the diagnosis of lupus isolated to the central nervous system when results of tests for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies are negative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; C064601:L12E protein, Trypanosoma cruzi; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins