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Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in lupus erythematosus chorea.
Clin Rheumatol. 2007 May 9
Lazurova I, Macejova Z, Benhatchi K, Oetterova M, Antolova E, Asherson RA, Rovensky J.
Department
of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Kosice, tr. SNP 1,
040 11, Kosice, Slovakia,
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.
Chorea
is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is
strongly related to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies.
Various infections may also be triggering factors in the development of
choreiform movements. Additionally, Salmonella infection is the most
common opportunistic bacterial infection in SLE patients.
We report a
case of a 33-year-old woman with SLE who developed lupus
erythematosus-associated chorea with multiple involuntary movements and
cognitive disturbances. Because the methylprednisolone therapy
administered appeared to lead to Salmonella enteritidis infection,
intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in a total dose 100 g was
administered after which a remarkable improvement of the abnormal
movements and cognitive function was noted. Within 7 days, the patient
had returned to normal. We therefore conclude that IVIg therapy may be
an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of the acute
cerebral complications of SLE, especially in cases in whom other
therapeutic strategies are ineffective or harmful.
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