Systemic lupus erythematosus: A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, characterized principally by involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys and serosal membranes. It is of unknown etiology, but is thought to represent a failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system. The disease is marked by a wide range of system dysfunctions, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the formation of LE cells in the blood or bone marrow.
Diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent, 12: A multifactorial disorder of glucose homeostasis that is characterized by susceptibility to ketoacidosis in the absence of insulin therapy. Clinical features are polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria which result from hyperglycemia-induced osmotic diuresis and secondary thirst. These derangements result in long-term complications that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.
Celiac disease 3: A multifactorial, chronic disorder of the small intestine caused by intolerance to gluten. It is characterized by immune-mediated enteropathy associated with failed intestinal absorption, and malnutrition. In predisposed individuals, the ingestion of gluten-containing food such as wheat and rye induces a flat jejunal mucosa with infiltration of lymphocytes.
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome 5: An autosomal dominant primary immunodeficiency characterized by severe autoimmunity, infiltration of non-lymphoid organs, such as the intestine, lungs and brain, by hyperactive T cells and B cells, autoimmune cytopenias, and hypogammaglobulinemia in early childhood.