Small Animal Dermatology, 3rd edition

chapter 31 Lupus Erythematosus..................................

DEFINITION/OVERVIEW

 Classification of lupus erythematosus (LE) in dogs and cats is evolving.

 “Lupus-specific” cutaneous disease (CLE) includes those with lymphocyte-rich inter-

face dermatitis and basal keratinocyte damage.

 Further subdivision describes acute, subacute, and chronic CLE: most canine disease

is considered to be a variant of chronic CLE (with the exception of vesicular CLE).

 Current recognized CLE diseases include:
Facial-predominant discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
Generalized discoid lupus erythematosus (GDLE)
Mucous membrane cutaneous lupus erythematosus (MCLE)
Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE)
Exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

 Exact mechanism undetermined but includes:
Genetic factors: forms of CLE more common in German shepherd
Hormonal factors: females possibly higher risk (unclear)
Environmental factors: drug reactions, viral initiation, and UV light exposure
T cell dysfunction
Polyclonal B cell activation
Cytokine production
Antigen/antibody complexes: deposited at the dermal-epidermal junction,

glomerular basement membrane, blood vessels, and synovial membranes

Tissue injury: direct result of activation of complement by immune complexes

and infiltration of inflammatory cells as well as by direct cytotoxic effect of

autoantibodies against membrane-bound antigens.

Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Dermatology, Third Edition.
Karen Helton Rhodes and Alexander H. Werner.
©2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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