Lupus nephritis in a patient with retroviral infection

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman, diagnosed as Person Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for three years, presented with features of fever, rashes, joint pain, dyspnea and pedal edema. On evaluation, a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Lupus Nephritis (LN) triggered by HIV infection was made based on clinical and serological evidence. She was continued on HAART, and immuno-suppressive therapy was co-administered resulting in the resolution of her symptoms. Lupus-like histopathological findings have been reported in patients with HIV-related kidney diseases. This case report is to highlight the co-existence of LN in a patient with HIV infection.