Lymphocytotoxic antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus & their household contacts.

Twenty patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their 51 household contacts were screened for the presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies. A high prevalence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCTAB) was observed in the patients (80% against T cells and 100% against B cells). The antibodies carried specificity for HLA-B5/35 and HLA-DR2/DR3. A high prevalence of LCTAB was also observed in contacts (55% LCTAB-T cells, 88% LCTAB-B cells) with no difference being seen between consanguineous and non-consanguineous male or female relatives.