Successful early rituximab treatment in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with potentially fatal diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but devastating complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a high early mortality rate. DAH seldom occurs without active organ involvement. Recently, rituximab (RTX), a B cell-targeted therapy, has been reported to be effective for life-threatening autoimmune diseases. We describe a SLE patient who presented with acute respiratory failure due to DAH without other active organ involvement. This condition was dramatically improved with RTX without cyclophosphamide.

• Authors: Ju Ock Na, Sung Hae Chang, Ki-Hyeon Seo, Jae Sung Choi, Ho Sung Lee, Ji Won Lyu, Seoung-Su Nah
• Journal: Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases (Respiration) Vol. 89 Issue 1 Pg. 62-5 ( 2015) ISSN: 1423-0356 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 25531296 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Immunologic Factors
• Rituximab

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Hemorrhage (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Lung Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (complications, drug therapy)
• Rituximab (therapeutic use)