Antinuclear antibody-negative lupus? An ominous presentation of hydralazine-induced lupus syndrome

Up to 10% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cases are drug-induced; hence, they are called drug-induced lupus syndrome (DILS). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) should be present to diagnose SLE and DILS. ANA-negative lupus is very rare; therefore, it presents a diagnostic challenge. In the medical literature, two cases of ANA-negative hydralazine-induced lupus syndrome (HILS) have been described within the last year. Here, we present the third such case of HILS with negative ANA serology in a patient who developed considerable pericardial effusion. The association between ANA-negative HILS and pericardial effusion warrants future research.

Cite this article as: Solomon-Tsegaye T, Treadwell EL, Obi R, Pitzalis M. Antinuclear antibody-negative lupus? An ominous presentation of hydralazine-induced lupus syndrome. Eur J Rheumatol 2018; 5: 272-4.