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Streptococcus pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

A Sánchez1, R Robaina1, G Pérez1

  • 1Unidad de Enfermedades Autoinmunes Sistémicas, Clínica Médica "C", Prof. Dr. Juan Alonso Bao, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Lupus
|October 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae rarely causes necrotizing fasciitis, a severe soft tissue infection. This case highlights a fatal instance in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, emphasizing rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, rapidly progressing soft tissue infection with high mortality.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) increases susceptibility to infections, but Streptococcus pneumoniae is an unusual cause of necrotizing fasciitis in these patients.

Observation:

  • A 36-year-old Caucasian female with an 8-year history of SLE presented with a fatal case of Streptococcus pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis.
  • Computed tomography (CT) and blood cultures were crucial for diagnosis and identifying the causative agent.

Findings:

  • This case underscores the extreme rarity of Streptococcus pneumoniae as an etiologic agent in necrotizing fasciitis.
  • The multifactorial nature of increased susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae in SLE patients is noted.

Implications:

  • Prompt diagnosis and empiric antibiotic treatment are critical upon suspicion of necrotizing fasciitis.
  • Urgent surgical exploration is mandatory for effective management of this aggressive infection.
Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeinfectionnecrotizing fasciitissystemic lupus erythematosus

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