Lymphocytic enterocolitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a recognized cause of chronic watery diarrhea. It is characterized by subepithelial collagen deposition or intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration of the colonic mucosa which, however, appears grossly normal on endoscopy. The term microscopic enterocolitis is applied when MC is associated with similar microscopic affection of the ileum and/or proximal small intestine. MC is reported to be associated with a variety of autoimmune conditions. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rarely reported in association with MC. We report a female patient with microscopic enterocolitis as one of the presenting manifestations of SLE. (author)