A case report of HIN1 pneumonia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The immunosuppressed patients might be at risk for serious influenza-associated complications. In this case report, a man with severe novel H1N1 pneumonia with no mortality and a good prognosis is introduced.Case Report: A 37-year-old man with a medical history of SLE, antiphospholipid syndrome, cerebrovascular accident and recurrent deep venous thrombosis presented with complaints of the rapid progressive fever, severe dyspnea, productive cough and progressive hemoptesis admitted to Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital in November 2009. The chest x-ray revealed a bilateral alveolar infiltration. Based on epidemiological evidence among some hospitalized patients compatible with H1N1 influenza as well as their unresponsiveness to antibiotic therapy, a nasopharyngeal specimen was obtained for RT–PCR and treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents and Oseltamivir was started. After 4 days of antiviral treatment, fever was removed and dyspnea was decreased. Moreover, RT-PCR was positive for H1N1 and after 10 days the patient was discharged with a good condition. According to the results, prompt diagnosis and treatment of H1N1 pneumonia in an immunosuppressed condition can prevent the morbidity and mortality of disease.