[Mitochondrial antibodies induced by drug administration in patients with and without pseudo LE syndrome (author's transl)].

The pseudo LE syndrome was first described in 1972. It is a severe, sometimes fatal condition, in which high titres of mitochondrial antibodies are a constant feature. In the vast majority of cases detected, Venopyronum in dragée form (containing phenopyrazone, horse-chestnut extract, and cardiac glycosides from various plants), had been taken prior to onset of the clinical symptoms. It is probably commoner, that following intake of the drug mitochondrial antibodies appear without clinical manifestations. In both situations, disposition, dose and duration of treatment are important factors. There is reasonable ground to believe that not just a single component, but rather the combination of various substances in the preparation is responsible for the induction of an autoimmune process. At the present time it appears that an idiopathic form, without drug contact, also exists.