Re: Simon -- questions re pulmonary embolism

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I think what Simon is referring to is a specific pulmonary disease that can

occur in patients with systemic lupus. It's caused by what are called immune

complexes. Here antigens and antibodies link together like a lattice, lodging

between cells in the kidneys and or lungs interfering with pulmonary

function. Without early aggressive treatment this complication of lupus can

be very dangerous. With the positive P-ANCA what happens is a vasculitis or

inflammation of blood vessels.

Interestingly, a co-worker of mine developed this same condition from the

horrible floor strippers sometimes used in hospitals to remove wax from

floors. While many institutions quit using this or only use it when people

not bothered by it are working (I get sick from it) it has been linked to

this P-ANCA antibody mediated vasculitis.