Carter J D, Valeriano-Marcet J, Kanik K S, Vasey F B
Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612, USA.
South Med J. 2001 Nov;94(11):1122-3. doi: 10.1097/00007611-200111000-00017.
The clinical symptoms of drug-induced lupus (DIL) are similar to those of idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus. The literature indicates that in patients with DIL, sera generally contain antinuclear antibodies (ANAs); however, ANA-negative DIL has been reported. The list of medications implicated as etiologic agents in DIL continues to grow. This list includes two different types of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors--captopril and enalapril. We report the first case of DIL caused by lisinopril. Our patient had negative results on ANA testing and had histone antibodies (IgG anti-[H2A-H2B]-DNA) mirroring the disease course. Antibodies to the (H2A-H2B)-DNA complex are seen in more than 90% of patients with active DIL, excluding those with DIL due to hydralazine. Thus, it is important to recognize the clinical significance of IgG anti-(H2A-H2B)-DNA antibodies and that negative ANA test results do not preclude the diagnosis of DIL.
