Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is still of unknown origin. Viruses have long been postulated to play a role in its pathogenesis particularly cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.
Exegese: We describe three patients who presented acute onset of systémic lupus erythematosus concurrently with recent viral infection (two with cytomegalovirus and one with Epstein-Barr virus).
Conclusion: The peculiar clinical events emphasize the difficulty of diagnosis at the onset of the disease and suggest possible role of these viruses in the pathogenesis of SLE.