'When Cryptococcus strikes and lupus is found': a unique covert unveiling of systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as subacute meningitis

Francis Essien; Marquise Westbrook; Graey Wolfley; Shane Patterson; Matthew Carrol

doi:10.1177/20406223221102784

'When Cryptococcus strikes and lupus is found': a unique covert unveiling of systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as subacute meningitis

Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2022 Jul 12:13:20406223221102784. doi: 10.1177/20406223221102784. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Francis Essien¹, Marquise Westbrook², Graey Wolfley³, Shane Patterson⁴, Matthew Carrol⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA, USA.
² Department of Internal Medicine, Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, USA.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, 301 Fisher Street, Biloxi, MS 39534, USA.
⁴ Department of Infectious Disease, David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA, USA.
⁵ Department of Rheumatology, Singing River Health System, Ocean Springs, MS, USA.

Abstract

Cryptococcal neoformans is a rare fungal pathogen that has been associated with immunocompromised individuals. Due to its rare occurrence, clinicians have a low index of suspicion for diagnosis, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. We present an 81-year-old fully functional woman with no known predisposing risk factors or previous immunocompromising conditions who was found to have cryptococcal meningitis on cerebrospinal fluid analysis in the setting of newly diagnosed uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Keywords: cryptococcus; lupus; meningitis.

Publication types

Case Reports