Diagnostic Pitfalls in a Man with Systemic Lupus Erythematous
  • Andrei Cristian Dan Gheorghe
    Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Andreea Simona Hodorogea
    Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Cristina Elena Georgescu
    General Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Sf. Pantelimon Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Ana Ciobanu
    Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Ioan Tiberiu Nanea
    Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Gabriela Silvia Gheorghe
    Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

Keywords

Systemic lupus erythematous, antiphospholipid antibodies, aPTT

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multi-systemic immune-mediated disease with confusing symptoms and delayed diagnosis. We report the case of a 32-year-old man with a persistent Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)-positive reaction treated for syphilis 5 years previously, who was admitted for rash, weight loss, pancytopenia, inflammatory syndrome, and an important spontaneous prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Antiphospholipid antibodies were identified in the patient and he was diagnosed with SLE. The unrecognized false positive VDRL reaction and the delayed diagnosis of SLE were harmful as the patient had developed renal and cardiac complications by the time of diagnosis.

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    Published: 2019-11-13
    Issue: Vol 6 No 11 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Gheorghe ACD, Hodorogea AS, Georgescu CE, Ciobanu A, Nanea IT, Gheorghe GS. Diagnostic Pitfalls in a Man with Systemic Lupus Erythematous. EJCRIM 2019;6 doi:10.12890/2019_001256.

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