Combined Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Tuberculosis in an Irish Adolescent Female

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology, which can affect any organ system. Tuberculosis (TB) is a common infection in SLE because of immune dysregulation associated with the latter. We report a case of an adolescent female who presented with a year's history of polyarticular arthralgia and fever. Physical examination revealed a large left effusion that needed drainage. Investigations revealed a combined diagnosis of SLE and TB. Management comprised quadruple anti-TB therapy and SLE treatment. She made a steady recovery and has maintained a stable state from the lupus perspective.

Positive Lateral Flow Urine Lipoarabinomannan Assay (LF-LAM) Result in Detection of Active Tuberculosis

“…Systemic lupus erythematosus can become an immunocomprimised condition due to immune system abnormalities, immunoglobulin and complement deficiency, defects in chemotaxis, phagocytosis and abnormalities in cellular immunity, and is supported by receiving high steroid therapy which causes immunosuppression. 15 The research of Suwanpimolkul et al, 12 the LF-LAM examination can be used for an active TB population accompanied by severe immunocomprimised conditions and further research is still needed. In this study, 2 subjects (12.5%) of 16 active TB subjects were immunocomprimised without having HIV infection.…”