African Journal of Internal Medicine

ISSN 2326-7283

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (11), pp. 345-347, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report 

Systemic lupus erythematosus bullosa: A case reported in the Internal Medicine Department of National Teaching Hospital, Cotonou

AZON-KOUANOU Angèle1, ZANNOU Djimon Marcel1, AGBODANDÉ Kouessi Anthelme1, KENMOE TCHOUANCHE-WENDEU ABESSOLO Christelle1, ATADOKPEDÉ Félix2, ADÉGBIDI Hugues2, ADE Gabriel1, HOUNGBÉ Fabien1

1Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, National Teaching Hospital (NTH) Hubert Koudougou Maga (HKM), Cotonou (Benin). Tel. (00229) 97 99 78 50

2Department of Dermatology and venereology, National Teaching Hospital (NTH) Hubert Koudougou Maga (HKM), Cotonou,  (Benin).

Corresponding Author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 01 December, 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a severe damage of skin, joint visceral and hematology systems. Its diagnosis is based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The bullous form of lupus is rare; it is less than 5% of lupus cases. We hereby report a particular clinical case of bullous lupus. Observations: The patient was a 21-year old woman with sickle cell symptoms. She was admitted for etiological research on a long fever. There were reflection upon several diagnoses including SLE. After six months follow up, she developed diffuse vesicular bullous lesions prevailing at the perineum, abdomen and upper limbs, also affecting the buccal mucosa. Bullous lupus diagnosis was conducted based on Camisa and Sharma criteria. The choice of treatment is corticosteroid therapy and Dapsone. The patient developed steroid-resistant during her monitoring. Therefore, a single 100 mg daily dose of Dapsone was given. The progression revealed the incidence of hemolysis, complicated by severe anemia requiring transfusions. The alternative was Colchicine with slow but good response. Conclusion: Bullous Lupus is a rare form of SLE. Its treatment was note easy in our case. Colchicine has been the alternative, with quite slow reaction.

Keywords: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, bullous form of Lupus, Internal Medicine, CNHU-HKM, Cotonou, Bénin.