Short-term plasmapheresis in acute lupus nephritis
Vangelista, A.; Frascà, G.; Orsi, C.; Sermasi, G.; Zucchelli, P.; Bonomini, V.
International Journal of Artificial Organs 6(Suppl 1): 43-46
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-3988 PMID: 6642736 Document Number: 220893
This study reports 11 cases with acute lupus nephritis who underwent short-term plasmapheresis treatment combined with immunosuppressive therapy. 68 plasma exchanges (mean/patients: 6.2) were performed by either centrifuge or membrane filter, exchanging 80% of total plasma volume per session. A rapid improvement of clinical symptoms was observed in all cases treated. 5 patients with renal insufficiency at the beginning of treatment, showed a reduction in serum creatinine and proteinuria after plasmapheresis. Immunological investigations demonstrated a rapid decreasing of circulating immune complexes and anti-DNA antibodies and an improvement of lymphocyte function, studied by E rosettes and Con A induced suppressor activity.