Which antibodies are commonly associated with drug-induced lupus?

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is a condition that can occur due to certain medications, and it is characterized by the presence of specific antibodies in the serum. Among these, anti-histone antibodies are particularly significant. They are often found in patients with drug-induced lupus, serving as a marker for this condition. This association is strong because drug-induced lupus usually resembles systemic lupus erythematosus, but it tends to be more benign and is often reversible upon discontinuation of the offending drug.

Anti-histone antibodies are also utilized in clinical practice as a diagnostic tool to differentiate drug-induced lupus from other forms of lupus. In contrast, the other antibodies mentioned—anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, and anti-dsDNA—are more commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune disorders but less with drug-induced lupus specifically. This distinction underscores the importance of recognizing the specific antibody profiles associated with different forms of lupus when evaluating patients.