Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE)

Running head: Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE)
Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE)
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Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE)
1. Laboratory results of D.W indicated a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer, positive
anti-dsDNA test, positive anti-Sm test, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and C and
decreased C3 and C4 serum complement. Upon conducting X-ray of her joint, she was
found to have a joint swelling, however, no joint erosion was whatsoever observed. She
was later diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an autoimmune
disease. In this disease, the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissue mistakenly
that affect joints, skin, brain, kidney and other organs. When SLE is suspected ANA test
or anti-dsDNA test is recommended (Sandhu & Quan, 2017). ANA refers to a group of
antibiotics that are produced by the body’s immune system provided it is unable to
distinguish “self” and “nonself”. Thus, ANA test helps in detecting the autoantibodies in
the blood. Presence of ANA in the blood indicates the condition of SLE. Thus, the patient
D.W. was found to have positive ANA titer which indicates that she was suffering from
SLE. Anti-Sm tests are recommended since Anti-Sm antibodies are sometimes present in
SLE and a positive Anti-Sm test indicates that the person is suffering from SLE. Anti-C-
reactive protein (CRP) antibody is considered to be a potential biomarker for SLE and
patents suffering from SLE have a higher level of CRP (Castro & Gourley, 2010). The
patient, in the case study had an increased Anti-C-reactive protein (CRP) antibody which
indicates her medical condition. Other tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),
determines whether there is an inflammation in any part of the body which is a
characteristic symptom of SLE. C3 and C4 serum complement are measured to monitor
lupus because lupus autoantibodies give the same signal and also activates component
(Tešija Kuna et al., 2016).