Myopericarditis revealing a systemic sclerosis-systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome complicated by fatal cytomegalovirus infection: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc)-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome is rarely described in the literature, and its morbidity and mortality remain high after the early onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which determines its severity. The epidemiology of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome is not well known. It is characterized by high clinical polymorphism, making its diagnosis difficult. Through this case, we underline the difficulty and delay in the diagnosis of this syndrome in a country with limited resources, as well as the difficulty of its management given the specificity of the treatment for each pathology and the risk of infections, which could limit their use.Case presentationWe report the case of a 49-year-old North African female patient, initially followed for SSc for 8 years, whose diversity of symptoms masked the distinct disease. Indeed, her initial clinical presentation was in favor of SSc, but the discovery of a pericardial effusion stimulated us to carry out more investigations and correct the initial diagnosis. The involvement of the myocardium and pericardium, as well as the positive antibody serology tests, make it possible to retain the diagnosis of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome. Despite the introduction of treatment, the patient unfortunately died a month later after developing a multi organ failure following an opportunistic infection.ConclusionsThe management of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome can be complex, requiring good knowledge of these two pathologies, especially in immunocompromised patients with complications. Treatments based on corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may differ from one case to another, making their use difficult in a patient developing a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These patients require urgent treatment before the onset of complications, at the risk of worsening the prognosis, with close collaboration between a cardiologist and an internist, given the multisystem involvement.