Epstein-Barr virus-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.

Evidence of virus-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is illustrated by documentation of a 10-year old girl who developed SLE (satisfying ARA criteria) soon after infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. She showed complete remission 24 months later following an aggressive course of immunosuppressive therapy. The appearance and disappearance of serological evidence of EBV infection, followed by the onset and complete clinical and serological remission of SLE, which in this case had unusually mild complications, suggest a causal relationship.