The incidence of a positive lupus band test (LBT) varies.1 We hypothesized, in view of data reported for New Zealand white and black F1 hybrid mice and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, that this difference in incidence is dependent, for the most part, on the site of biopsy.2 Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the influence of a sun-exposed and nonexposed biopsy site on the incidence of a positive LBT in the same SLE patients.
Subjects and Methods
Nineteen untreated patients satisfying the American Rheumatological Association's (ARA) preliminary criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were observed. Thirteen were female and six were male. All patients had detailed clinical examination with reference to the ARA criteria and the following laboratory values: complete blood cell count; urinalysis; serum creatinine; total hemolytic complement (CH50); and antinuclear antibody. Anti-native DNA antibodies were determined by employing immunofluorescent techniques and Crithidia luciliae as