Limbic encephalitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus. 2009 Dec;18(14):1316-9. doi: 10.1177/0961203309106829. Epub 2009 Oct 22.

Abstract

A 34-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with general fatigue, seizures and memory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a high signal area in the mesial temporal lobe bilaterally. Computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen and ultrasound of pelvis detected no malignancy and tumour marker, antibodies to antineuronal antibodies (anti-Hu, anti-Ta and anti-Ma) and antibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels were all negative. The present case is limbic encephalitis (LE) associated with SLE and the pathogenesis may include autoimmunity shared. Our experience indicates that the immunologic spectrum of LE will expand to include additional immune mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Limbic Encephalitis / etiology*
  • Limbic Encephalitis / immunology
  • Limbic Encephalitis / pathology*
  • Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / complications*
  • Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated