Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis Presenting as Severe Constitutional Symptoms

Authors

Ton La
Sahifah Ansari
Ethan Ha
Matthew Novakovic

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

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, facial cellulitis, pericardial effusion, anemia of chronic disease

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.