Renal and systemic amyloidosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

A young male presented with oral ulceration for two years; swelling face and feet of seven days duration; diffuse goiter without signs of thyroid disease; normocytic normochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, deranged renal functions, albuminuria of 2.5 g/24h with active urinary sediment. ANA and anti-ds DNA were positive, sonography of abdomen suggested medical renal disease. Testing for HIV, HBV, VDRL, CRP, rheumatoid factor, p-ANCA and c-ANCA were negative. Thyroid hormone assays were normal. Kidney biopsy done to stage lupus nephritis did not show any evidence of lupus involvement but staining for SAA amyloid was positive. Subsequent biopsies from the liver and rectum also stained positive for amyloid. Diagnosis of "Systemic lupus erythematosus with renal and systemic secondary amyloidosis with euthyroid diffuse goiter" was made. The case is being reported and discussed because of the interesting and rare association between amyloidosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.