Diagnostic Pitfalls in a Man with Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Authors

• 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

andreea.hodorogea@gmail.com

Keywords

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.