Title: Varicella Infection Triggering Childhood Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Authors: Dr Ghanshyam Verma, Dr G.R.Tegta, Dr Aditi Dhanta, Dr Ajeet Negi, Dr Kuldeep Verma

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i2.129

Abstract

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a rare disease with an incidence of 0.3-0.9 per 100,000 children-years and a prevalence of 3.3-8.8 per 100,000 children. Approximately 80% of patients with cSLE are female as in adult onset SLE. Etiology is unknown, but may be associated with genetic factors, non-organ specific humoral antibodies, impaired cell mediated immunity, environmental factors e.g. infections, stress etc. In recent decades, many researchers have focused on the role of viral infection in the etio-pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered to be most common virus reported, that may trigger SLE. We are reporting a male child with cSLE who suffered from varicella infection prior to the onset of severe SLE with lupus nephritis. Any patient with post viral exanthum, fever, photosensitive rash, arthralgia or arthritis should be investigated in detail to rule out underlying more serious autoimmune disease i.e. childhood lupus erythematosus.

Varicella zoster infection (chickenpox) is a very rarely reported trigger of cSLE.

Keywords- varicella zoster virus, childhood lupus erythematosus, infectious trigger, etiopathogensis.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Ghanshyam Verma

Dept. of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy,

Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, HP, INDIA

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