laboratory-based practical work undertaken in this module was in relation to a case study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE. SLE is a connective tissue disorder, which is autoimmune in nature. This disease affects multiple organs and its clinical manifestation is based on its severity and the organ involved. The pathogenesis of this disease is based on antigen-antibody complexes that circulate in the blood and deposit in the smaller blood vessels of organs. Through the deposition of these complexes and also through auto antibody mediated destruction, there is damage to the organ. (Boon et al., 2010)

The prevalence of SLE is influenced by certain factors, such as, gender, race and genetic predisposition. Like most autoimmune diseases, SLE is also a disease that primarily affects women. Sex hormones seem to play a positive role in this inclination, since most cases develop near menarche or before menopause. Patients, who develop this disease during...
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