A 14-Year-Old Female With Several-Week History of Rash, Worsening Diffuse Arthralgias, and Fevers

Seth J Deskins; Felistia Crowder; Sydney Downey; Jacob Gelman; Richard Brant; Brian Peppers

doi:10.7759/cureus.27846

A 14-Year-Old Female With Several-Week History of Rash, Worsening Diffuse Arthralgias, and Fevers

Cureus. 2022 Aug 10;14(8):e27846. doi: 10.7759/cureus.27846. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Authors

Seth J Deskins¹, Felistia Crowder², Sydney Downey², Jacob Gelman³, Richard Brant², Brian Peppers⁴

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, West Virginia University Medicine, Morgantown, USA.
² Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
³ Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
⁴ Allergy/Immunology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.

Abstract

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) as the initial presentation of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is an uncommon and difficult diagnosis to ascertain. However, it remains critical to establish the diagnosis since MAS is a potentially life-threatening systemic inflammatory condition. Prompt recognition can lead to early initiation of treatment with corticosteroids and overall improved outcomes. Here, we present a case of a 14-year-old female with MAS as the initial manifestation of sJIA.

Keywords: case report; macrophage activation syndrome (mas); pediatric immunology; pediatrics; soluble il-2 receptor; systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Publication types

Case Reports