Lupus is an “autoimmune disease”, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus is defined by symptoms; and a positive ANA blood test, which shows antibodies to nuclear material (fragments of nucleus from dying cells) generated by immortal pathogens. The findings in lupus overlap with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, and Raynaud’s. Lupus can damage the brain, nerves, blood vessels, heart, kidney, immune system, joints, and skin; and lupus patients are at increased risk for many types of cancer and for cardiovascular events. Lupus causes swelling in the joints, legs, hands and feet; and fingers and toes may turn white or blue, consistent with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Lupus causes fatigue and fevers, mouth sores, and light sensitivity; and can exacerbate gastrointestinal disease. “Opportunistic infections” are a common complication of lupus, and a major cause of hospitalization and death. Cats and dogs get lupus, and dogs owned by lupus patients are at higher risk of developing lupus.

Macrolide antibiotics, anti-parasitics, and anti-malarials have been used to treat lupus. Lupus patients taking antimalarial drugs were sixteen times less likely to suffer an “opportunistic infection”. The success of these treatments; lupus findings, co-morbid conditions, and major complications; and transmission of lupus between people and pets, strongly support an infectious cause of lupus.

Multiple chronic infections with pathogens and parasites cause lupus, and the pathogens and parasites may differ in different patients. The opportunistic infections and flares in lupus are exacerbations of the pathogens causing lupus, when the immune system is weakened by secondary infections, or treatment with steroids and/or TNF-inhibitors. Lupus patients should be tested for pathogens and parasites, before any treatment which has an adverse effect on immune defenses.  The pathogens and parasites are the disease!

“Open-Label Study of Clarithromycin in Patients with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease”. Moskowitz R, et al. doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2006.04.005; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004901720600062X

“Predictors of major infections in systemic lupus erythematosus”. Ruiz-Irastorza G, et al.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2745791/