Dengue fever evolving into systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: a case report

Dengue viremia may be the trigger for immune complex formation in patients who are predisposed to developing autoimmune disease. We report a rare case of dengue virus infection evolving into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of dengue fever evolving into lupus nephritis. A 22 year old female presented with having had high grade fever, skin rash, breathlessness, retro-orbital pain, abdominal pain, arthralgias and myalgias for 10 days. She tested positive for dengue immunoglobulin M (IgM). She was given supportive treatment and was subsequently discharged. Four weeks later she developed recurrent fever, arthralgia, rash and anasarca. She was suspected as having SLE with active lupus nephritis. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), and anti double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti dsDNA) titers were positive and complements were low. Renal biopsy showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis grade IV. She was treated with steroids and immunosuppressants to which she responded. Dengue viremia incites antibody production, which if excessive causes deposition of viral antigen-antibody immune complexes. This could possibly lead to renal tubular damage and glomerulonephritis in susceptible individuals. Dengue fever leading to development of glomerulonephritis is rarely seen. Our patient developed dengue fever and after a month presented with manifestations of SLE and lupus nephritis. Both dengue fever and SLE have common manifestations of fever, arthralgia, rash, leucopenia with thrombocytopenia and serositis. Bacterial and viral infections may act as a 'trigger' for starting or relapsing lupus activity in genetically predetermined individuals. In our case it may be possible that dengue virus could have triggered a dysfunctional immune response, resulting in the developing of autoimmunity and SLE with lupus nephritis.