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Updated: Jun 24, 2025
The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Autoimmune Myelofibrosis Revealing a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Fatimaezzahra Bensalek1, Hajar Joulal1, Jaouad Yousfi1
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.
Background:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease, characterised by multi-organ affections. Haematological involvement is a common manifestation of SLE, consisting of autoimmune peripheral cytopenia. Autoimmune myelofibrosis (AIMF) is a rare cause of cytopenia in SLE; it could precede or be concurrent with the diagnosis of SLE. There are few studies that describe this association.
Case Description:
We report a case of AIMF revealing the diagnosis of SLE in 34-year-old female, presented with episodes of gingival bleeding associated with peripheral inflammatory polyarthralgia, photosensitivity and deterioration of general condition. Clinical examination revealed a soft pitting oedema in the lower limbs. Laboratory investigations showed a pancytopenia, inflammatory biological syndrome, with positive 24-hour proteinuria and anti-native DNA antibodies. A bone marrow biopsy showed diffuse myelofibrosis associated with maturation disorders and no tumour infiltrate. Renal biopsy revealed proliferative glomerulonephritis class III with immune deposits.
Conclusion:
The association of AIMF with SLE has been rarely reported, and it could be another cause for cytopenia in SLE.
Learning Points:
Autoimmune myelofibrosis can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), even though it is rare.This association should be considered when pancytopenia is not well controlled during SLE, prompting a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.The therapeutic management of this association is the same as that used in SLE.
