Rare autoimmune condition successfully managed

Mangaluru: Doctors at KMC Hospital Attavar successfully treated and discharged a 35-year-old woman with a rare and life-threatening rheumatological condition complicated by severe infection.A release from the hospital stated that the patient was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called lupus, presenting as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and life-threatening recurrent bleeding from the lungs, requiring prolonged hospitalisation. The illness followed a stormy clinical course over nearly three months, with multiple organ involvement and critical complications.During treatment, the patient developed mucormycosis of the lung, a serious fungal infection that required intensive antifungal therapy with four weeks of intravenous Amphotericin B. Managing aggressive immunosuppression alongside a life-threatening infection posed significant clinical challenges.The patient required multiple sessions of plasma exchange, Rituximab therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and carefully monitored corticosteroid treatment to control the refractory autoimmune disease.The case was managed by the department of rheumatology in collaboration with the nephrology team and infection services.After an intensive and carefully monitored treatment course, the patient showed steady recovery, stabilisation of kidney function, resolution of lung involvement, and control of the infection, and was subsequently discharged in stable condition.