A patient with a Mycobacterium avium complex infection complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus

Simultaneous Onset of Mycobacterium kansasii Pulmonary Infection and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Patient: Female, 19-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Systemic lupus erythematosus

Symptoms: Cough • Fever • malaise and fatigue • polyarthralgia • skin rash

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Rheumatology

First case of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease caused by Mycobacterium marseillense in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Mycobacterium marseillense was designated as a new species within Mycobacterium avium complex. We report the first case of M. marseillense lung disease in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. All serial isolates were identified as M. marseillense by multilocus sequence analysis, based on hsp65, 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer, and 16S rRNA fragments.

Bone marrow infection caused by Mycobacterium avium complex in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease with wide range of signs and symptoms. SLE patients have increased infective diathesis, and infections are a very important cause of death in these patients. Infections can sometimes mimic the signs and symptoms of SLE. Thus, it is important to recognize that infection can induce a lupus flare-up or can be difficult to distinguish from a lupus flare-up. We describe a 36-year-old female patient with SLE, who presented with skin lesions and pancytopenia, and clinical manifestations similar to a flare-up of SLE. Bone marrow examination revealed infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The patient had no history or clinical evidence of pulmonary involvement. This patient is the first case of invasive bone marrow MAC infection in SLE. With this unique case, we would like to emphasize that SLE patients can also be infected by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and that bone marrow examination for tuberculosis as well as for non-tuberculosis mycobacteria should be considered in SLE patients with refractory pancytopenia.