Unusual Presentation of Lupus in Pediatric Patient : Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disease characterized by loss of self-tolerance resulting in development of autoantibodies and formation of immune complexes. Multiple organ involvement can be seen with renal and neurological involvement carrying the worst prognosis. This case report is of 13-year-old Indian boy who presented with fever and rash, along with Macrophage Activation Syndrome secondary to sepsis. Patient showed improvement in symptoms with steroid therapy and IVIG.

day-1 of admission, so nephrologist opinion was sought along with rheumatologist as child's ANA report was positive with low C3 and C4.
Child was investigated for SLE and HLH, which came to be positive for both.As anti-ds DNA was positive along with high ferritin (>7500) with triglycerides-181 and LDH-1570.So, child was planned for bone marrow and renal biopsy, but as the child's clinical state deteriorated, in form of increase work of breathing and requirement of non-invasive ventilation, so both planned procedure was deferred.Child repeat CRP and Procalcitonin was highly positive and as chest x-ray showed halo signs, so galactomannan was sent and child was added on Inj.Meropenem, Teicoplanin and Clindamycin along with Tab Voriconazole (For Aspergillosis).In view of deterioration child was thought to have MAS secondary to SLE, so was started steroids pulse dose and later maintainence therapyalong with IVIg (for sepsis) at 2 gm/kg.Child's condition stabilized over next 2 -3 days and BiPAP was removed.Repeat Ferritin (1700), CRP (negative) and Procal (7), all came down significantly.Kidney Biopsy was done later, which showed features of-Focal Lupus activity: ISN/RPS Class 3 A and indices (NIH) of disease activity 3/24 & chronicity 0/12 and child was started on MMF along with steroids.
As child's PCR for rickettsia was negative, so Inj.Doxycycline was stopped after 1 week, Inj. Meropenem, Teicoplanin and Clindamycin was stopped after 2 weeks, but T. Voriconazole was being continued for 3 weeks, as galactomannan was positive.Child's blood cultures were sent twice during the stay in hospital, but never grew any organism.
Child was discharged to home after 3 weeks of hospital stay, with no rash, fever and normal cell count (all 3 cell lines) and renal function test.Child during stay in our hospital didn't require any renal replacement therapy or inotropes.

Discussion
Etiology, treatment, and prognosis of MAS have mostly been uncertain.In a case study of a patient with SLE and MAS, numerous antibodies (ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-Ro, and peripheral ANCA antibodies) [1] were tested positive.It was thought that the more amount of autoantibodies and immune complexes bound to normal blood cells trigger phagocytosis of those cells and it is possible that the quantity of these autoantibodies and the increased complement activity during a SLE flare can trigger MAS.
After making the diagnosis of MAS, initiation of therapy is important.Most clinicians start with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (30 mg/kg for three and immuno-suppression are not effective is a biologic agent, such as anakinra and rituximab.Anakinra is an IL-1 receptor blocker that has been used effectively in patients with MAS secondary to SLE, which did not respond to steroids, IVIG, and cyclosporine.If MAS, however, is driven by EBV infection, one might consider rituximab, a treatment that would eliminates B-lymphocytes, the main type of cells harboring EBV virus.This approach has been successfully used in EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease [5].The patient in our study responded to steroids and IVIG.
Although the reported mortality rates of MAS reach 20%, due to increasing awareness it is now diagnosed relatively early and the outcome is improving [6].A substantial proportion of MAS patients experience recurrent episodes and these patients may require closer monitoring.Multiple studies have found no correlation between ferritin levels and the severity of disease or outcome; however, serial ferritin levels may shed more light on prognosis [7].The patient in this case report had a ferritin of 7500 on initial admission, which decreased to 1700 indicating response to therapy.Once his symptoms improved and his ferritin slowly decreased over the course of weeks.He was safely discharged home with close follow up.

Key Points
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening complication of rheumatic disease that, for unknown reasons, occurs much more frequently in individuals with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and in those with adult-onset still disease.
MAS is characterized by pancytopenia, liver insufficiency, coagulopathy, and neurologic symptoms and is thought to be caused by the activation and uncontrolled prolifera- consecutive days) followed by 2 -3 mg/kg/day in four divided doses.If a response to steroids is not evident within 24 -48 hours, parenteral administration of cyclosporine A (CyA; 2 -7 mg/kg/day) should be initiated [2] [3] [4].Patients in whom MAS remains active despite the use of corticosteroids and CyA present a serious challenge.IVIG is another treatment option, which is especially useful in patients who are suspected to have an underlying viral infection.Further, the next line of treatment if both steroids