[Chorea and systemic lupus erythematosus with circulating anticoagulant. 3 cases]

Abstract

Circulating anticoagulant was detected during the course of choreic manifestations in three young women with systemic lupus erythematosus, associated in two cases with false syphilitic serology due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The high prevalence of the presence of these antibodies in lupic chorea was confirmed by reports of 41 cases in the literature. These findings could suggest a possible pathogenic role for these antibodies in choreic manifestations by either a thrombotic or auto-immune encephalitis mechanism.