There is quite a bit known about the pathophysiology. What actually causes lupus is not clear, and again lupus is probably better described as a syndrome. We can t really produce it by any known agent. Therefore, by definition, it is really a syndrome. When you look at these patients it s hard to imagine that doctors thought that all these patients have the same disease because the manifestations are so variable.
Genetic factors are obviously important.
Immune response genes, certain complement deficiency syndromes, or genotypes are Infection, viral infection, is the main focus of research. Still nothing has been found. Polyomavirus which I m not really sure what kind of a virus that is. I think it s a big DNA virus. But these types of infections have been suggested, but again there s no direct proof.