Toxoplasma infection in systemic lupus erythematosus mimicking lupus cerebritis

An opportunistic infection is a known, although underdiagnosed, complicatio n of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 48-year-old woman with a recent diagnosis of SLE was admitted to the hospital because of a fever, confused state, and convulsive episode. Her symptoms were interpreted as being compa tible with lupus cerebritis. Treatment with methylprednisolone resulted in a temporary improvement in the patient's condition. Nevertheless, during th e next few weeks, her physical and mental condition deteriorated, and she d ied of massive pulmonary emboli, An autopsy revealed no signs of lupus cere britis; however, disseminated cerebral toxoplasmosis was found. Cerebral to xoplasmosis is a rare complication of SLE that may be misdiagnosed as lupus cerebritis.