Management of Difficult Infections in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The document presented four cases of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experienced severe infections alongside their lupus symptoms. Case 1 involved a 40-year-old African female with a lupus flare and a right psoas abscess caused by Escherichia coli. Case 2 described a 54-year-old Caucasian female with SLE-induced psychosis and catatonia, who later developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Case 3 detailed a 19-year-old female with a history of malar rash, polyarthritis, and fever, who deteriorated rapidly and died from adult respiratory distress syndrome. Case 4 involved a 41-year-old female who returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with increased proteinuria and fever, indicating a renal relapse. The discussion points focused on managing severe infections in SLE patients, highlighting the complexity and necessity of tailored treatment strategies.