[Classical panarteritis nodosa: a clearly defined entity. Analysis of 20 cases (author's transl)]. / La panarteritis nodosa clásica: una entidad claramente definida. Análisis de 20 casos.

The clinical, biological, and immunological alterations of 20 patients with histologically confirmed classical panarteritis nodosa have been studied. Characteristic angiographic changes were present in 14 cases. There were 14 males and six females, with a mean age of 50 years. The main clinical manifestations were: fever (90%), peripheral nervous system involvement (80%), renal involvement (65%), arterial hypertension (60%), arthropathy (80%), and cutaneous lesions (45%). In most cases there was elevated VSG and alpha 2-globulin, anemia and leukocytosis. HBsAg positivity was found in five patients. The immunological study revealed a polyclonal immunoglobulin increase, changes in the complement components, and a quantitative and qualitative decrease of T lymphocytes. Steroids and immunosuppressive treatment were given to eight patients, and steroids along to 11 patients. The clinical evolution of 17 patients was followed; four patients died, all of them belonging to the group treated with steroid alone.

[The spectrum of lupus nephropathy]. / El espectro de la nefropatía lúpica.

Clinical manifestations and immunological characteristics in a series of 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and renal involvement are presented. These findings have been correlated to different pathologic lesions and compared to another series of patients without renal involvement. The overall rate of renal involvement was 25 percent, with ages ranging from 14 to 47 years. A female predominance was noticed. Histopathologic findings were as follows: focal glomerulonephritis (five cases), and minimal changes (one case). Under a histological glomerulonephritis (two cases); membranous glomerulonephritis (one case), and minimal change (one case). Under a histological standpoint the earliest lesions had the worse prognosis. Patients with diffuse glomerulonephritis showed a high degree of renal function impairment. Urinary infection was present in half of the cases. A significant hyperlipidemia was found in patients with nephrosis. Proteinuria and abnormal urinary sediment were common findings in all histologic types. Antinuclear antibodies, were positive in 14 cases, with statistical significant high titres in diffuse glomerulonephritis. Serum immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were elevated. Decrease of serum complement levels (C3, C4, C3PA and C5) were found in patients with renal involvement.