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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
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Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

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Cryptococcal meningitis in patients with lupus nephritis

Jiefang Chen1, Peirong Chen2

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Seventh People's Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Clinical Rheumatology
|December 16, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Lupus nephritis patients with cryptococcal meningitis often show severe kidney damage, high disease activity, and low CD4+ T cells. These factors, along with high-dose steroids and proteinuria, are key risks for this rare infection.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is uncommon in lupus nephritis (LN) patients.
  • Understanding risk factors is crucial for early diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of LN patients diagnosed with CM.
  • To identify predictors of CM in the LN population.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of medical records from 16 LN patients with CM.
  • Comparison with 32 age- and sex-matched LN patients without infection.

Main Results:

  • CM patients presented with headache (93.7%) and had higher prednisone doses, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), urine protein/creatinine ratio, and lower CD4+ T cell counts.
  • Renal biopsies revealed more severe mesangial proliferation in CM patients.
  • Significant differences noted in SLEDAI, prednisone dose, CD4+ T cell counts, and renal pathology between groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Severe renal pathology, proteinuria, elevated SLEDAI, high-dose prednisone, and decreased CD4+ T cells are potential risk factors for CM in LN.
  • Serious renal pathological changes may be a primary risk factor for CM in lupus nephritis.
Keywords:
Cryptococcal meningitisLupus nephritisRenal pathology

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