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Longitudinal myelitis is an uncommon complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe an unusual case of longitudinal myelitis and ischemic stroke in the presence of homozygous prothrombin G20210A, heterozygous MTHFR 677T mutations and the absence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a young woman with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 39‐year‐old primigravida, a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and secondary anti‐phospholipid syndrome (APS) with a smooth antenatal course who delivered by caesarean for non‐reassuring foetal heart rate. On day 2 postoperatively, she developed a sudden severe colicky upper abdominal pain with tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and tachycardia, and blood pressure (BP) reaching 150/95 mmHg. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed lesions consistent with liver infarction. She developed haemolytic anaemia, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP syndrome); heparin and methylprednisolone were started. On day 3, BP normalized, respiratory symptoms improved but abdominal symptoms persisted. Methylprednisolone was increased to 80 mg/day on day 8 when she had significant clinical response and was discharged on day 16. This case emphasizes that a morbid clinical course including liver infarction should be anticipated in patients with SLE and APS complicated with HELLP syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial clustering of elevated antiphospholipid antibody levels has been described, but the reports are heterogeneous with regard to the characterization of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), coexisting autoimmune diseases and clinical implications. We report a familial occurrence of APS in two patients, in the presence of SLE in the mother and absence of autoimmune diseases in the daughter along with acquired circulating inhibitors in both cases: platelet inhibitor and factor IX inhibitor, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]