Infective thyroiditis in two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus

LM Fung, RCW Ma, CC Chow, CS Cockram
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Caritas Medical Centre, Shamshuipo, Kowloon, Hong Kong

We report on two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, both of whom developed suppurative thyroiditis. One suffered from Staphylococcus aureus–induced thyroiditis and the other had tuberculous thyroiditis. The occurrence of tuberculous thyroiditis in systemic lupus erythematosus has not previously been reported. The diagnoses were made by fine-needle aspiration biopsy and subsequent bacteriological confirmation. Transient alteration of thyroid function was observed in both patients. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who present with fever and anterior neck pain, infection of the thyroid gland should be considered, and appropriate investigations undertaken.

Hong Kong Med J 2004;10:344-6

Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic; Staphylococcus aureus; Thyroiditis; Tuberculosis