Low complement levels in paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus and the risk of bacteraemia

Jaap P Hagen; Petra C E Hissink Muller; Robbert G M Bredius; Rebecca ten Cate

doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-010378

Low complement levels in paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus and the risk of bacteraemia

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Aug 21:2013:bcr2013010378. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-010378.

Authors

Jaap P Hagen¹, Petra C E Hissink Muller, Robbert G M Bredius, Rebecca ten Cate

Affiliation

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Abstract

This report describes an 11-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with long-standing low levels of complement proteins. A disease period with lupus nephritis (class IIIa) was complicated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and osteomyelitis. She was treated with high-dose immunosuppressants and 6 weeks of high-dose intravenous antibiotics. The clinician should be aware of bacteraemia in SLE with secondary complement deficiency.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Bacteremia / drug therapy*
Bacteremia / immunology
Child
Complement System Proteins / deficiency*
Complement System Proteins / immunology
Female
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
Lupus Nephritis / complications
Lupus Nephritis / drug therapy
Lupus Nephritis / immunology
Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
Staphylococcus aureus

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Immunosuppressive Agents
Complement System Proteins