Immune Complex Reactions in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We should first try to define systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Table 1 lists criteria proposed by a committee of the American Rheumatism Association. If four of these 14 major criteria are positive, then there should be about 98% specificity for SLE. There are clearly many facets to this disorder. Let us consider mechanisms that might account for a multisystem disease such as this