Question:
I am hoping you can give me some direction for answers. Although the internet is detailed, it doesn't narrow down to my questions. In early 80's I was diagnosed with SLE. This involved years of lung infections which never seemed to go away or never responded to treatment. In early 90's I was diagnosed with Sjogrens. Now I suffer from bronchiactisis, coupled with MAI (Microbacterium A Typical) and Aspergellis (Fungus), both infections are in the lungs.
Is it possible that the Lupus and/or the resulting infections due to the Lupus triggered the Sjogrens? Is it possible that the Lupus and/or the resulting infections caused the bronchiactisis? Is it possible that either of these autoimmune deseases caused the MAI and/or Aspergellis, or is it more likely to be caused by the bronchiactisis?

Answer:
The bronchiectasis is from recurrent infections and recurrent infections may be associated with lupus (immune dysregulation), but Lupus can be associated with Sjogren's (unrelated to lung infections) The bronchiectasis allowed for the atypical bacteria to grown in your lungs. However, most people with recurrent lung infections (that cancause broncheictasis) do not have lupus.In your case there is an association between lung infections in past,bronchiectasis and current unusual bug infections.There is an association of lupus and concomitant Sjogren's and that isall we can say with certainty.