Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as fulminant lupus pneumonitis: a rare case report

We report a case of 19 year-old female patient diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with fever and diffuse cutaneous lesions. During the hospital stay she had acute pneumonia, pleural effusion and respiratory failure, which required intensive care unit (ICU) care and mechanical...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: H.K. Aggarwal, D. Jain, A. Mittal, A. Rao, R.K. Yadav, P. Jain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2016-06-01
Series:Reumatismo
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.reumatismo.org/index.php/reuma/article/view/846
Description
Summary:We report a case of 19 year-old female patient diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with fever and diffuse cutaneous lesions. During the hospital stay she had acute pneumonia, pleural effusion and respiratory failure, which required intensive care unit (ICU) care and mechanical ventilator support. A fulminant course of the disease, decreased values of complement levels and positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in pleural fluid and repeated negative <em>sputum</em> for acid-fast bacillus, blood cultures enabled diagnosis of fulminant lupus pneumonitis. Fulminant lupus pneumonitis is a rare but potentially life threatening complication of SLE. Management requires involvement of multiple specialties and rigorous efforts in reviving the patient.
ISSN:0048-7449
2240-2683