Invasive soft tissue infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pneumococcal infections of the soft tissues are uncommon. However, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be predisposed to this condition, perhaps by virtue of hypocomplementemia and low, nonprotective concentrations of antipneumococcal antibodies. We report a case of severe cellulitis and fasciitis of the anterior neck in a young woman with SLE. The literature on SLE and pneumococcal soft tissue infections is reviewed. A clinical syndrome of SLE and pneumococcal soft-tissue infections of the neck and pharynx is described.