Disseminated tuberculosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disorder. Intercurrent infections and nephritis are important causes of mortality in SLE. Among infections, tuberculosis (TB) is of particular importance as SLE patients are more susceptible to develop active TB, prior TB can precipitate SLE in genetically susceptible individuals and similar clinical presentations of SLE flare and TB may lead to delayed diagnosis. We report a patient with SLE, who developed disseminated TB. The present case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion and focussed evaluation in the diagnosis of intercurrent infections, particularly TB in patients with SLE.