Longstanding hyperprolactinemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: possible hormonal stimulation of an autoimmune disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 4 women in whom hyperprolactinemia was associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Clinical assessment and followup (2 cases). Chart review and interviews with the attending rheumatologist (2 cases). Detailed review and reassessment of multiple imaging studies of the pituitary. RESULTS: One patient had idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, and 3 had pituitary microadenomas. Serum 17 beta-estradiol concentrations were normal in all women, but serum testosterone was suppressed in 2. SLE flares occurred in 2 individuals, one and 6 months after bromocriptine therapy was discontinued, and reinstitution of bromocriptine therapy in a patient who refused corticosteroids resulted in resolution of her SLE disease activity. CONCLUSION: Hyperprolactinemia, which has the potential to exacerbate autoimmunity, may coexist with SLE. In these instances, bromocriptine may afford therapeutic benefit.

The pin nematode, Paratylenchus neoamblycephalus, on Myrobalan plum and other hosts.

Elimination of Paratylenchus neoamblvcephalus from soil by fumigation with 1,2-dibromoethane stimulated the growth of Myrobalan seedlings grown in it. Addition of a suspension of P. neoamblycephalus to Myrobalan seedlings inhibited their growth as compared to noninoculated controls. When nematodes were removed from the suspension by settling, and the supernatant liquid was used as inoculum, no stunting occurred. Roots of Myrobalan seedlings inoculated with surface-sterilized P. neoamblycephalus were smaller, darker, and had fewer feeder roots than those of noninoculated controls. Nematodes were observed feeding ectoparasitically, but with heads embedded in roots as deep as the cortex. They were associated with small lesions and dead lateral roots. Clusters of nematodes were common at ruptures in the epidermis, and where lateral roots emerged. Limitation of Myrobalan growth by P. neoamblvcephalus was greater at 20 and 27 C than at 30 C, and was not affected by pH over the range 4.5 to 6.5. Rose, apricot, peach, and all selections and hybrids of Prunus cerasffera tested were hosts for P. neoamblrcephalus. The nematode could not be cultured on various herbaceous plants nor on Myrobalan callus tissue.