[Double-stranded DNA antibodies in discoid lupus erythematosus]

Antibodies to double stranded ds DNA were comparatively studied in the sera of untreated DLE patients and in the sera of the same persons after one month's chloroquine administration by a modified ELISA technique. Antibodies were found in both IgG and IgM classes. Untreated DLE patients showed a significantly higher antibody level than the healthy controls. During the chloroquine administration, the level of antibodies decreased first in the IgG class.