In: Anatomy and Physiology
Bower is a 3-year –old male English Pointer who presented with weakness and difficulty rising. He also recently developed a very red and sore area across the top of his nose. Bover had a slight fever, significant muscle atrophy, enlarged peripheral lymph nodes and an erythematous lesion on the dorsum of his nose.
He had an increased plasma protein concentration (8.0 g/dL), a high white blood cell count (18 X 103 /ul), high numbers of neutrophils within joint fluids (no microorganisms cultured) consistent with immune-mediate inflammation. An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test was performed with a titer of 640 (positive is greater than 100). Antigen-antibody complexes (anti-C3 and anti-IgG) were also observed at the dermal-epidermal junctions of Bower’s nasal lesion.
What is the diagnosis? Explain your reasoning (4 pts)
What is the treatment (2 pts)
Describe the pathogenesis of this immunological disease (4 pts)
1. ANSWER: The probable diagnosis is Systemic lupus erythromatosus. It is an autoimmune condition.
2. ANSWER: Reasons for SLE are presence of sore area across the top of the nose which is called the typical butterfly rash or malar rash which is seen in patients of SLE. Also the patient's serum has elevated protein concentration amd increased neutrophil infiltration in the joint spaces that would cause joint pain. As it is an autoimmune condition ANA levels are also increased.
3. ANSWER: Treatment includes the uae of anti-inflammatory drugs to get rid of joint pains and its stiffness. Steroid creams for rashes corticosteroid to minimise the rashes Antimalarial drugs can also be used for skin and joint problems.
4. ANSWER: SLE is characterized by the total loss of self tolerance with activation of autoreactive t and b lymphocytes leading to the production of pathogenic autoantibodies that would cause tissue injury.