Abstract: A process for treating a patient with leukemia or an aplastic anemia having cells with inclusions that stain with anti-E. canis antibodies or antibodies to other Ehrlichia or Anaplasma is disclosed. That process comprises administering to the patient (i) an antibacterial amount of a rifamycin, (ii) an antibacterial amount of a quinolone, or a mixture of (i) and (ii).

Abstract: A method for diagnosing for the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a patient is disclosed. In accordance with this method, megakaryocytes present in bone marrow of a person suspected of having SLE are assayed for the presence of internal bacterial structures that specifically stain with an intercalating dye. The presence of those specifically stainable structures within the patient's megakaryocytes indicates that the patient has SLE. Treatment of an SLE patient with an antibiotic is contemplated. Treatment of a patient that has SLE comprises administering to that patient (i) an antibacterial amount of a rifamycin along with an antibacterial amount of a macrolide, (ii) an antibacterial amount of a tetracycline, or (iii) an antibacterial amount of a quinolone, or a mixture of two or more of i, ii and iii. The treatment is continued until the patient's megakaryocytes no longer contain specifically stainable structures, and until no further evidence of infection is present.

Abstract: Intra-erythrocytic exogenous bacterial structures or parasites seen by giemsa and phase contrast microscopy in several patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and not in controls were identified as bacteria. Treatment of an SLE patient is contemplated with an antibacterial amount of a rifamycin in conjunction with an antibacterial amount of either a macrolide such as clarithromycin or a third generation cephalosporin such as cefpodoxime that is itself more preferably used in conjunction with an adjuvant amount of probenecid.