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Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus after rituximab therapy

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Abstract

New cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have recently been reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after rituximab therapy. Several factors may contribute to susceptibility to P. jirovecii infection in this type of patients, including the immunological characteristics of the disease, the mechanisms of rituximab action, environmental factors, and the biological characteristics of the fungus. We report two patients with SLE who developed PJP after rituximab therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Unit, Cra. 98N. 18-49, Fundación Valle del Lili-ICESI University, Cali, Colombia

    F Bonilla-Abadía, G J Tobón & C A Cañas

  2. Internal Medicine Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili-CES University, Cali, Colombia

    J F Betancurt

  3. Internal Medicine Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili-ICESI University, Cali, Colombia

    J C Pineda

  4. Infectious Diseases Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia

    J D Vélez

Authors
  1. F Bonilla-Abadía
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  2. J F Betancurt
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  3. J C Pineda
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  4. J D Vélez
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  5. G J Tobón
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  6. C A Cañas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C A Cañas.

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Bonilla-Abadía, F., Betancurt, J.F., Pineda, J.C. et al. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus after rituximab therapy. Clin Rheumatol 33, 415–418 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-013-2475-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-013-2475-0

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