Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease Amid Latent Tuberculosis and Recurrent Infections

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 17; no. 7; p. e87826
• Main Authors: Lwin, Ni Ni, Hlaing, Wut Y, Sta Lucia, Aprilee, Tasmin, Ruhina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 13.07.2025; Cureus
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antibiotics; Antibodies; Arthritis; Autoimmune diseases; Health risk assessment; Internal Medicine; Lung diseases; Patients; Pneumonia; Pulmonology; Quality of life; Rheumatology; Scleroderma; Serology; Tuberculosis; immunosuppressive therapy; ild interstitial lung disease; ssc-ild; systemic sclerosis (ssc); pulmonary fibrosis; antifibrotic agents; multi-professional collaboration
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.87826

Systemic sclerosis is one of the rare autoimmune disorders characterized by fibrosis, damage to the vascular system, and immune dysregulation. Interstitial lung disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among pulmonary manifestations of systemic sclerosis. Diagnosing systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is often delayed due to symptoms such as cough and dyspnea that mimic common respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or bronchitis. We report a 48-year-old woman who presented with recurrent pneumonia-like symptoms. Based on serological and imaging findings, she was diagnosed with SSc-ILD. Her condition improved with antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and antifibrotic agents. The diagnosis and management of SSc-ILD are still challenging, especially when initial symptoms are similar to those of more common conditions such as recurrent pneumonia. An exact diagnosis can only be made by using clinical judgment along with imaging and serologic testing, as shown in this case. Starting treatment early with immunosuppressive and antifibrotic therapies can help slow disease progression and improve quality of life. In complex cases like this, it can be particularly beneficial to have specialists from different fields collaborate, which can make a significant difference in patient care.