Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that affects multiple organ systems of humans, and has not been described in non-human primates.  As the term implies, it is a systemic disease and the serum contains a variety of autoantibodies. It is a chronic disease with relapses, primarily affecting the skin, joints and kidneys. The prevalence may be as high as 1 in 2500 in certain populations, predominantly affecting women. Systemic Lupus erythematosus has been described as a spontaneous occurrence in the Rhesus macaque and as a disease induced by alfalfa-sprout diet in cynamolgus monkeys.