title: Chilblain lupus erythematosus is associated with antibodies to SSA/Ro.
abstract: Chilblain lupus erythematosus (CL) of Hutchinson is a subtype of lupus erythematosus (LE) characterized by erythematous lesions induced by cold, damp climates. A number of patients affected by CL eventually develop features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report here 9 patients with chilblain cutaneous lesions, 6 of them were affected by SLE and 2 by SCLE. The onset of CL preceded the diagnosis of LE, from 1 to 10 years in 3 cases, it was concurrent in one case and was subsequent in the remaining 4 cases. Raynaud's phenomenon and photosensitivity were other prominent clinical features in patients with CL. Nailfold capillaroscopy revealed pathological changes in every patient examined. ANA and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies were detected in all nine patients. Anti-SSB/La were detected in 2 cases, anti-Sm in one case, and anti-Sm and anti-RNP in a one case. Antibodies to dsDNA and complement consumption were found in the six patients with SLE. The fine specificity of anti-SSA/Ro was determined by immunoblotting: anti-60kD and anti-52 kD were detected in three sera, anti-60kD alone in 5 sera, while one serum did not blot. In conclusion, the present study suggests that chilblain LE is associated with SSA/Ro autoantibodies, as is SCLE, hypergammaglobulinemic purpura and neonatal lupus erythematosus.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology Unit, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy. doff@numerica.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara-Pinton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinzanini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cavazzana
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bettoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchetti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Airò
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McCauliffe
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002647:Chilblains / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies