Systemic lupus erythematosus flare triggered by a spider bite.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with a relapsing and remitting course characterized by disease flares. Flares are a major cause of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Some triggers for these exacerbations have been identified, including infections, vaccines, pregnancy, environmental factors such as weather, stress and drugs. We report a patient who presented with a lupus flare with predominantly mucocutaneous, serosal and cardiac involvement after being bitten by a spider and we present the possible mechanisms by which the venom elicited such a reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in the literature.
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil of Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Hospital 278, 44280 Guadalajara, Mexico. Electronic address: eduardomartinnares@gmail.com.
Eduardo
E
Martín Nares
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil of Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Hospital 278, 44280 Guadalajara, Mexico.
Alvaro
A
López Iñiguez
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil of Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Hospital 278, 44280 Guadalajara, Mexico.
Heriberto
H
Ontiveros Mercado
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology*; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000150:complications*; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D000067251:Symptom Flare Up
D013111:Spider Venoms
Antiphospholipid syndrome; Diastolic heart failure; Lupus flare; Spider bite; Systemic lupus erythematosus