Multiple Salmonella enteritidis leg abscesses in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

We describe a 19 year old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus on corticosteroid therapy, who developed bilateral, multiple, gas-forming Salmonella enteritidis leg abscesses and osteomyelitis mimicking deep vein thrombosis. The infection was treated successfully by a combination of surgical drainage and intravenous ceftriaxone, followed by prolonged oral pefloxacin. This rare case of gas-producing S. enteritidis emphasizes the difficulty in diagnosing such complications in active systemic lupus erythematosus.