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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
12:04

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: November 1, 2015

Infections associated with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

S M Al-Mayouf1, S Al-Jumaah, S Bahabri

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. mayouf@kfshrc.edu.sa

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|January 17, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Infections are common in children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), affecting 41% of those studied. While major infections occurred, no deaths were directly attributed to them in this cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases in Autoimmune Conditions

Background:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems.
  • Children with SLE are at increased risk of infections due to the disease itself and immunosuppressive therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and characteristics of infections in a cohort of pediatric patients diagnosed with SLE.
  • To identify common types of infections and their severity in children with SLE.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 70 children diagnosed with SLE between 1990 and 1998.
  • Infections were documented and categorized as Class I (minor) or Class II (major).
  • Data collected included demographics, clinical features (SLEDAI), treatment, and response to antibiotics.

Main Results:

  • A significant proportion of patients, 41% (29 children), experienced infections during the study period.
  • Minor infections (Class I) were more prevalent (73%) than major infections (Class II) (27%).
  • Bacteremia was the leading cause of major infections (45%), while urinary tract infections were most common among minor infections (38%). No significant risk factors were associated with infection severity.

Conclusions:

  • Infection is a frequent complication in pediatric patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
  • Despite the high rate of infections, including serious ones like bacteremia, no fatalities were directly linked to infections in this cohort.
Abstract

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