Tiffin, Nickivan Vuuren, Larry Peter2018-07-302024-05-172018-08-312024-05-172016https://hdl.handle.net/10566/15284Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Bioinformatics)Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the production of a wide range of autoantibodies directed against selfantigens. SLE can influence almost any organ system and its appearance and course are highly varied, ranging from remission to disease flare. SLE demonstrates a variety of constitutional symptoms, such as the skin, musculoskeletal and mild hematologic involvement. On the other hand, some patients present with primarily hematologic, renal or neuropsychiatric manifestations.enUniversity of the Western Cape