Mitochondrial Antibodies without Antinuclear Antibodies in Non‐hepatic Diseases

Abstract

The term pseudo-LE[lupus erythematosus] syndrome was previously used to describe an SLE[systemic lupus erythematosus]-like disease in which AMA [antimitochondrial antibodies], but not ANA [antinuclear antibodies], were found in serum. In an attempt to find patients with this syndrome, 9358 sera were tested for AMA and ANA. AMA without ANA was found in 6 patients without liver disease. One of these patients had an SLE-like disease. Two of the others had diseases of the thyroid and 1 had rheumatoid arthritis.sbd.diseases in which AMA have previously been described. One patient had allergic vasculitis and one, hypercholesterolemia; these diseases are not known to be associated with the presence of AMA.