Recurrent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in systemic lupus erythematosus patient: case report and review

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by an underlying immunodeficiency state, worsened by the use of immunosuppressive drugs in its treatment. Hence patients with SLE are at increased risk of opportunistic infections, one of which is tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases globally, with Indonesia having the second highest prevalence in the world. Further research towards better management of these two disease entities is thus required. We report a patient with SLE flare and recurrent tuberculosis infection.

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• recurrent tuberculosis
• autoimmune haemolytic anemia