Disseminated tuberculosis masquerading as a presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan;21(1):352-355. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13195. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) infection is the endemic in Asia-Pacific region. Miliary TB is a disseminated form which may present similarly as autoimmune conditions. Here we describe a 17-year-old girl who had miliary TB with manifestations mimicking new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) including oral ulcers, serositis, cytopenia, proteinuria and raised autoantibody titers. Complex associations between SLE and TB are highlighted. High index of clinical suspicion for TB infection is needed upon presentations resembling immune diseases like SLE.

Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / microbiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents