A case of a flare-up of systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome manifesting with cholecystitis secondary to pregnancy

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman who had a 2 year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was transferred to our hospital by her gynecologist because of a low-grade fever and dyspnea after delivery. Since a blood culture performed upon admission showed the presence of Bacteroides caccae, she was diagnosed with sepsis. Antibiotic therapy did not resolve her symptoms and she further developed an acute abdomen with marked cholecystitis. This was believed to be due to a flare-up of SLE after the pregnancy, overlapped with Sj6gren's syndrome which was evidenced by sialaden biopsy. She showed a good response to combination therapy with steroids and antibiotics.