Additional file 1: Tables S1 and S2; Figures S1 and S2. Influenza A/H1N1 septic shock in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report BACKGROUND: Immunocompromised patients, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sufferers have an increased risk of mortality, following influenza infection. In the recent pandemic, influenza A H1NI virus caused 18449 deaths, mainly because of adult respiratory distress syndrome or bacterial co-infections. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, an SLE patient with viral-induced septic shock, without overt pulmonary involvement, is discussed. The patient was administered oseltamivir and supportive treatment, including wide-spectrum antibiotics, vasopressors and steroids, according to the guidelines proposed for bacterial sepsis and septic shock. She finally survived and experienced a lupus flare soon after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case to report severe septic shock from influenza A/H1N1 virus, without overt pulmonary involvement. Infections are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, viruses are not considered to cause serious infections in these patients; they, usually, represent reactivation of herpes viruses, such as herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus [1] . Nevertheless, it is reported that immunocompromised patients have an increased risk of mortality, following influenza infection [2] .