Category: Autoimmune diseases
-
SSA or Anti-Ro
When ANA is positive, SSA along with other antibodies are ordered to determine the underlying disease. SSA or Anti-Ro are antinuclear antibodies that are seen in the following conditions: Sjogren’s Syndrome Systemic Lupus Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Photosensitive Dermatitis SSA Antibodies are rare in other connective tissue diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. SSA presence is associated with:…
-
Anti-Smith (anti-Sm)
Important points about Anti-Smith (anti-Sm) antibodies are: – This test along with anti-RNP are used to determine the cause of the positive ANA. – ANA is non-specific and can be seen in Lupus as well as other rheumatic diseases. Anti- Smith antibodies on the other hand are very specific for Lupus. – Anti -Smith antibodies…
-
Complements
Complements are group of proteins that are involved in inflammation. The activation of the complements occur in the following settings: Systemic Lupus Glomerulonephritis Complement deficiencies Complement levels of C3, C4, and CH50 usually can indicate complement activation. CH50 indicates activity of the overall complement system. There are nine major complement proteins but C3 and C4…
-
Spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthritis is an ancient inflammatory autoimmune disease that dates back to the time of Egyptian mummies 5000 years ago. X-rays of the spine of an ancient mummified pharaoh showed evidence of spondylitis. This is unlike Rheumatoid Arthritis that can not be traced back beyond the last three hundred years. Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis often goes undiagnosed for…
-
Complete blood count with Differential (CBC with DIFF): Eosinophils
Eosinophils are not as common as the other white cells. Eosinophils are increased in: – Allergic conditions such as hay fever, rhinitis, eczema – Parasitic infections such as trichinosis, Ascariasis – Fungal infections as in aspergillosis – Autoimmune diseases such as vasculitis – Medications such as Aspirin – Lymphomas such as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Leukemia, Mastocytosis…
-
Complete blood count with Differential (CBC with DIFF): Monocytes
Monocytes are the third most common white cells (<10%). Monocytes are increased in: – Infections especially brucellosis, shingles, TB, bacterial endocarditis, Malaria – Medications such as steroids – Autoimmune diseases, sarcoidosis, – Neutropenia – Colitis – Leukemia, Lymphoma Monocytes are decreased in: – Hairy cell leukemia
-
Complete blood count with Differential (CBC with DIFF): Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are the second most common white cells (20-40%) after neutrophils. They include: – T-cells – B-cells – Natural killer Cells Lymphocytes are increased in: – Infections especially viral infections – Medications – Autoimmune disease – Overactive thyroid – Colitis – Lymphatic leukemia Lymphocytes are decreased in: – Infections – Medications such as steroids or…
-
Complete blood count with Differential (CBC with DIFF): Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most common of the white cells (60-70%). Neutrophils in circulation are mostly mature cells and are involved primarily in fighting infections. Immature Neutrophils, also called bands, appear with severe infections when there is recruitment of neutrophils mature and immature cells in a massive scale. When there are more than 10% immature neutrophils…
-
Complete blood count with Differential (CBC with DIFF): Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measures the average concentration of hemoglobin per red blood cell. It was used in the past to determine the cause of anemia. But because of its limitations, Mean Corpuscular Volume or MCV along with Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) have replaced MCHC as means of determining the cause of anemia.…
TeachMeMedicine.Org 