systemic lupus erythematosuses

Main Entry: systemic lupus er·y·the·ma·to·sus
Pronunciation: -"er-&-"thE-m&-'tO-s&s
Function: noun
: aninflammatory connective tissue disease of unknown cause that occurs chiefly in women and that is characterized especially by fever, skin rash, and arthritis, often by acute hemolytic anemia, by smallhemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, by inflammation of the pericardium, and in serious cases by involvement of the kidneys and central nervous system called also systemic lupus

systemic lupus erythematosus systemic lupus er·y·the·ma·to·sus (ěr'ə-thē'mə-tō'səs, -thěm'ə-)
n.

Abbr. SLE A chronic multisystemic inflammatory disease with variable features, frequently including fever, weakness and fatigability, joint pains or arthritis, skin lesions on the face, neck, or upper extremities, and often affecting the kidneys, spleen, and various other organs. Also called disseminated lupus erythematosus.

systemic lupus erythematosus   (ěr'ə-thē'mə-tō'sĭs)  Pronunciation Key  An inflammatory autoimmune disease of the connective tissue, characterized by fever, skin rash, joint pain or arthritis, and anemia. It occurs most commonly in women and often affects the kidneys and nervous system, as well as other organs.