[IMMUNOSERO LAB] Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage in various organs.

Butterfly rash

A skin rash typically seen on the face, resembling a blush across the cheeks and nose, characteristic of SLE.

Autoantibodies

Antibodies produced by the immune system that mistakenly target and react with a person's own cells or tissues.

LE Cell

A neutrophil that has engulfed lymphocyte nuclei, denatured by antibodies to nucleoprotein, indicating the presence of lupus.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA)

An autoantibody that targets substances within the nucleus of cells, often tested in diagnosing lupus.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A laboratory test that measures various components of blood, often used in the diagnostic process of SLE.

Immunosuppressive drugs

Medications that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system; key in managing SLE.

Neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that forms an essential part of the immune system and typically reacts during autoimmune phenomena.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disorder that can show positive reactions similar to those in the LE test, differentiating it from lupus.

Wright Giemsa stain

A staining technique used for tissue and cell samples, including the buffy coat in the diagnosis of lupus.

Centrifuge

A machine that rapidly spins samples to separate components based on density, utilized in preparing blood samples for testing.

CRP and ESR

Blood tests that measure inflammation in the body, important in the assessment of autoimmune diseases like SLE.

Buffy coat

The middle layer of centrifuged blood, which contains white blood cells and platelets; used in diagnosing SLE.