LUPUS PNEUMONITIS AS THE INITIAL PRESENTATION OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that is characterized by a multisystemic involvement and various clinical manifestations. Pulmonary manifestations occur in approximately 50% of patients. One of the rare and mortal complications is lupus pneumonitis. Very few cases have been reported due to its rarity and diagnostic challenge. It must be suspected in case of non-response to conventional treatment for pneumonia. We describe the case of a 29-year-old man with lupus pneumonitis as the initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus.