Summary
Fever in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be caused by exacerbation of the disease itself or by infection. We report on a patient with a long standing history of SLE that was complicated by fever and pancytopenia with no splenomegaly. SLE disease activity was suspected because of an elevated DNA-antibody titer. The early positive response to corticoid therapy may have masked the underlying infection. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed by a repeated bone marrow biopsy and serological testing.
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Braun, J., Sieper, J., Schulte, K.L. et al. Visceral Leishmaniasis mimicking a flare of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 10, 445–448 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206670
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02206670