Efficacy and Safety of Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients With Infection: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Study

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical manifestations. Infection is currently a common complication in patients with SLE and is the leading cause of death in patients with SLE. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam in treating infections in SLE patients. Methods: This study included 48 patients diagnosed with SLE from January 2020 to June 2022. A retrospective review was conducted on SLE patients with infections treated with piperacillin/tazobactam. General demographic information, clinical signs, indicators from lab tests, and medication use were gathered. Then we compared the data from before and after the piperacillin/tazobactam treatment. Results: Among 48 SLE patients enrolled (44 with pulmonary infections), the anti-infective treatment success rate was 72.9%, with no serious adverse reactions reported. After treatment, levels of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, complement3 (C3), C4, creatinine, urea, and creatinine and creatinine clearance (CCr) showed no significant changes, indicating no worsening of lupus disease activity or renal function. In contrast, serum uric acid levels decreased significantly after treatment (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Piperacillin/tazobactam is effective and safe for SLE patients with infections. During this process, skin tests should be done in advance, the patient's response should be closely monitored, and the doctor should be closely communicated to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.