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Drug‐induced lupus as a cause of relapsing inflammatory disease after renal transplantation
Author(s) -
Pape Lars,
Strehlau Juergen,
Latta Kay,
Ehrich Jochen Hh,
Offner Gisela
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pediatric transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1399-3046
pISSN - 1397-3142
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3046.2002.02002.x
Subject(s) - medicine , systemic lupus erythematosus , anti nuclear antibody , myalgia , immunology , transplantation , immunosuppression , kidney transplantation , disease , antibody , autoantibody
We discuss the case of an 18‐year‐old‐boy presenting with relapsing fever, arthralgia, myalgia and renal failure, 7 yr after renal transplantation. A thorough diagnostic work‐up for infectious and inflammatory diseases revealed a mastoiditis and atypical mycobacteria, but symptoms persisted after treatment. Persistent antinuclear antibodies in combination with cardiolipin and myeloperoxidase antibodies, despite negative dsDNA antibodies, suggested a drug induced lupus‐like syndrome. Six months after withdrawal of dihydralazine, all symptoms had disappeared. Drug‐induced lupus should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in transplanted patients with recurrent inflammatory disease in conjunction with lupus‐like symptoms and negative dsDNA antibodies. It may prevent a potentially hazardous reduction of immunosuppression in persistent inflammation.