[Systemic lupus erythematosus. A new look]

The systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory condition in which many abnormalities of the immune system have been described. Recent work has shown a subset of antiphospholipid antibodies which are apparently independent of the classical antinuclear antibodies. Their association with the false positive VDRL and the lupus "anticoagulant" is statistically significant. Clinically, these antibodies are associated with thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic and demyelinating neurological features.