Ovarian abscess caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Nontyphoidal Salmonella infection in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare.

METHODS

A 24-year-old woman with a 9-year history of SLE, on corticosteroids, presented with severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 1 day. Transabdominal sonography and abdominal computed tomography showed a right-sided well-defined pelvic mass. Laboratory study revealed leukocytosis. An emergency laparotomy revealed a right ovarian mass with purulent exudate. A right partial oophorectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst with focal abscess. Culture of the ovarian mass grew Salmonella typhimurium. Postoperatively the patient did well and was discharged 5 days later.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SLE are at risk of Salmonella infection. Gynecologists should be aware of the possibility of an ovarian abscess caused by Salmonella in such patients presenting with a pelvic mass and fever.