Haemophilus influenzae pericarditis with tamponade as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Vaccine-preventable infections in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by abnormal autoantibody production and clearance. Infections are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients; they have an increased frequency of severe bacterial and viral infections possibly due to inherited genetic and immunologic defects and to immunosuppressive therapies. In addition, infectious agents can switch on lupus disease expression and activity. Among the strategies to reduce the risk of infection, vaccination can be considered the most reliable option. Most vaccines are effective and safe in SLE patients, although in certain cases immunogenicity may be sub-optimal and vaccination can trigger a flare. Although these issues are currently unresolved, the risk benefit balance is in favor for vaccination to reduce the risk of infection in SLE patients. In the present review we discuss the preventive strategies currently recommended to reduce bacterial and viral infections in SLE.

Acute epiglottitis as the initial presentation of pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We report a case of a 5-year old girl, who initially presented with acute epiglottitis, sepsis and multi-organ failure. She was subsequently diagnosed as having Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. To the best of our knowledge, this article describes the first case of Haemophilus influenzae type f epiglottitis as the initial presentation of SLE in childhood.

Haemophilus influenzae serotype f purulent pericarditis: a cause of death in a child with Down syndrome

Purulent pericarditis is a cardiac emergency that can be difficult to diagnose and can be rapidly fatal. We report the case of a child with Down syndrome and recent atrial and ventricular septal defect repair who died from Haemophilus influenzae serotype f pericarditis.