We report here the case of a 17-year-old girl from Pelotas, Brazil, with systemic lupus erythematosus and disseminated cryptococcal infection. Prior to diagnosis, she was a chronic user of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs. Her first symptoms were skin lesions that simulated bacterial cellulitis. Upon suspicion, we performed a biopsy and fungal infection was confirmed. Appropriate therapy was established, and the patient was discharged after 42 days of treatment in complete remission.
Takayasu arteritis is a rare disease of unknown etiology that affects the aorta and its main branches. It is a condition, geographically more common in Southeast Asia, which mainly affects women of reproductive age. The clinical presentation is nonspecific, with signs and symptoms that vary according to the affected arterial segment. The most commonly affected vessel is the subclavian artery, while renal artery stenosis is relatively uncommon. Cardiac involvement and association with other diseases may also be present. We present in this report the case of an elderly patient with late diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis and various comorbidities or related complications.
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