Recurrent Stevens–Johnson syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 48; no. 10; p. 300060520964348
• Main Authors: Ahmed Eltahir, Noha Ibrahim, Elgenaid, Shaima N, Adam Essa, Mohammed Elmujtba, Ahmed, Abdelkareem A., Sati Mohamed, Ayman Sati, Ali Hussein, Mustafa Mohammed, Abubaker, Azza, Mohamed Elsayed, Elnazir, Mohammed Ibrahim, Sulafa Eisa, Mohamed Ibrahim, Osman, Mohammed Elagib, Elnour
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2020; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Adolescent; Autoimmune diseases; Biopsy; Case Report; Case reports; Humans; Lupus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - complications; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy; Male; Skin diseases; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - complications; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - diagnosis; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - drug therapy; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; fever; systemic lupus erythematosus; Maculopapular rash; recurrent; autoimmune disorder
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060520964348

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic disease that affects many organs. A few patients with SLE develop Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), a life-threatening disease characterized by the appearance of a partial-thickness burn in the skin and mucous membranes. This report aims to increase awareness among clinicians about the relationship between SLE and SJS. An 18-year-old man was admitted to the rheumatology department of Omdurman Military Hospital with a skin rash that was preceded by symptoms of a short febrile illness. He had a maculopapular rash on his palms, soles, trunk, and mucous membranes. The patient had been diagnosed with SLE at 10 years of age and had had SJS three times since the diagnosis of SLE. Investigations to exclude other diagnoses were conducted, and a skin biopsy showed features consistent with early SJS. The patient received intravenous hydrocortisone, oral prednisolone, and oral acyclovir. The lesions resolved 3 weeks after treatment with acyclovir and he was discharged in good condition. A young patient with SLE and recurrent SJS with no immunodeficiency responded very well to the conventional SJS therapy after 3 weeks of treatment.