title: Successful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in a patient affected by dermatomyositis/systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome and tuberculosis.
abstract: The case of a 56-year-old woman, with a previous history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), later diagnosed as also affected by active dermatomyositis (DM) associated with tuberculosis (TB) is reported. Since TB is a contra-indication to receive immunosuppressive therapy for DM/SLE, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) with low-dose steroids and anti-TB therapy were administered with excellent clinical results. This report underlines the crucial role of IVIG in the treatment of critical patients suffering from connective tissue disorders associated with severe infections.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, 2nd School of Medicine, S. Andrea University Hospital, Department of Medical Sciences, Via di Grottarossa 1039, 00189 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luzi
authors.forename: Andrea Picchianti
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Diamanti
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laganà
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Rosa
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salemi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stoppacciaro
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Amelio
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011718:Pyrazinamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011718:Pyrazinamide; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin