ystemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis are uncommon diseases. The discovery of both diseases in 19-yearold female identical twins, one with systemic lupus erythematosus and the other with multiple sclerosis, is deemed worthy of report in the medical literature. Search of the literature has not uncovered a previous report of the association of these two diseases in twins. Systemic lupus erythematosus in both of identical twins has been reported a number of times,1-6 as has multiple sclerosis in both of identical twins.7-9
Increased incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus and of hypergammaglobulinemia in relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus probands has been described.5,6 Leonhardt5 has concluded from his studies of systemic lupus erythematosus in families in Sweden that systemic lupus erythematosus is not a specific disease, but rather a syndrome closely related to other autoimmune and collagen disorders. Thus, a genetic factor in systemic lupus erythematosus would seem likely.
Mackay and Myrianthopoulos8