Identification of an exogenous intra-erythrocytic bacterium in patients having systemic lupus erythematosus, and treatment

摘要

Intra-erythrocytic exogenous bacterial structures or parasites seen by giemsa and phase contrast microscopy in several patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and not in controls were identified as bacteria. Treatment of an SLE patient is contemplated with an antibacterial amount of a rifamycin in conjunction with an antibacterial amount of either a macrolide such as clarithromycin or a third generation cephalosporin such as cefpodoxime that is itself more preferably used in conjunction with an adjuvant amount of probenecid.