Language
English
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Journal
Cureus
DOI
10.7759/cureus.56670
PMID
38646266
PMCID
PMC11032414
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
5-21-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-Print
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a remitting-relapsing systemic autoantibody and immune complex disease with a similar clinical presentation to that of malignancy and infection. The authors report a case of newly diagnosed SLE and lupus nephritis in a 48-year-old woman with constitutional symptoms and unintentional weight loss. Her presentation was further complicated by pericardial effusion and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) facial cellulitis and bacteremia. In the context of nonspecific symptoms and a wide initial differential diagnosis, the early consideration of rheumatologic etiologies and the involvement of consultant services led to appropriate diagnostic testing and a timely diagnosis.
Keywords
systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, facial cellulitis, pericardial effusion, anemia of chronic disease
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
La, Ton; Ansari, Sahifah; Ha, Ethan; et al., "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis Presenting as Severe Constitutional Symptoms" (2024). Faculty and Staff Publications. 1523.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/1523
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Dermatology Commons, Internal Medicine Commons, Medical Immunology Commons