Cryptococcal meningitis in steroid-treated systemic lupus erythematosus.

A case of cryptococcal meningitis complicating steroid-treated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which was successfully treated with amphotericin B is described. Although apparently rare, this mycotic infection has been reported from six patients with SLE in the medical literature over the past 10 years. Four of the six had been treated with steroids for periods ranging from 10 weeks to 6 years. In only one of these was the fungal infection diagnosed and effectively treated. Because effective therapy is available it is imperative that cryptococcal meningitis be not confused with progressive central nervous system involvement of SLE.