[Lymphadenitis and systemic lupus erythematosus]

A 25-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Laboratory findings showed elevated signs of inflammation, elevated ANA titer and strongly positive anti-dsDNA antibodies. The histopathology of the lymph nodes revealed distinct features of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, a benign, self-limiting lymphadenopathy that typically affects young Asian females. In the literature a coincidental occurrence of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is well documented. We hypothesized a simultaneous occurrence of both diseases because of the typical antibodies and arthralgia.