Paragonimiasis: an infrequent but treatable cause of hemoptysis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Hemoptysis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may occur in up to 17% of cases. The vast majority of the cases are secondary to bacterial, tuberculosis or opportunistic infections. Also uremia, pulmonary embolism and lung hemorrhage must be considered. The majority of the above referred entities are usually alarming events in any patient with SLE. In contrast, we describe a patient with inactive SLE, who developed hemoptysis secondary to Paragonimus sp., which was treated "easily" with praziquantel. Fluke infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis in SLE.