Abstract
Introduction
The risk of infection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with factors related to disease activity and immunosuppressive treatment. Recently, the persistence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) has been proposed as an environmental trigger for SLE and its flares, raising the question whether it should be treated systematically to reduce the risk of infection. To our knowledge, there is limited evidence on the screening and treatment of ASB in SLE.
Objective
The objective is to analyze the occurrence of infection and flare in patients with lupus nephritis with and without ASB.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with lupus nephritis during induction therapy with high-dose cyclophosphamide regimen was carried out between January 2018 and 2020, with a total of 37 patients investigated. Urine and blood samples from the two groups (with ASB and without ASB) where taken before the administration of cyclophosphamide.
Results
From the sampled 37 patients
Conclusion
Our study did not find a statistically significant association of ASB with the occurrence of infection or disease activity. Further studies need it to clarify this, since treatment of ASB has been recognized as an important contributor to inappropriate antimicrobial use, which promotes emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords
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