SSB and systemic lupus erythematosus: Three phases are observed in disease development: (1) normal phase in asymptomatic individuals without SLE antibodies; (2) benign immunity, under the influence of genetic and environmental factors, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies (ANA, anti-Ro, anti-La or anti-aPL) in peripheral blood vessels in the absence of clinical manifestations; (3) pathogenic autoimmunity, characterized by the presence of anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm and anti-RNP and the development of clinical signs and symptoms (1).