Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: Unusual presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and carries a high mortality. It was first described by Osler in 1904 as the most devastating pulmonary complication of SLE. We describe a case of a 23-year-old girl recently diagnosed with SLE associated by a class III nephritis treated with oral corticoids and mycophenolate mofetil who developed a Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage DAH a few days later. The early diagnosis and the aggressive therapy allowed us to have a favorable outcome.