Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Developing in a Young African Female Patient With Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is an unusual, benign, and self-resolving etiology of cervical lymphadenopathy. The cause of KFD is still unknown, but it is believed to be triggered by viral or autoimmune mechanisms. It usually has an excellent prognosis and primarily affects Asian women under 30. Although rare, KFD should be considered in patients who present with persistent lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis is based on the histological examination of lymph nodes, which typically reveals necrosis surrounded by histiocytes with crescent-shaped nuclei, immunoblasts, and an absence of neutrophils. Notably, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported to precede, coincide with, or follow a diagnosis of KFD. Here, we present a 24-year-old African woman initially diagnosed with KFD who subsequently fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SLE. This case report highlights the clinical and diagnostic difficulties presented by this uncommon association, underscoring the need for attentiveness in patients exhibiting persistent lymphadenopathy and possible autoimmune characteristics.