[Systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis and toxoplasma antibodies]

High toxoplasma antibody titers have been reported in polymyositis and other connectivitis with myositis. The authors describe a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with polymyositis and high titers of IgG toxoplasma antibodies. Studies of muscle biopsy specimens by immunofluorescence and inoculation of mice with muscle extracts failed to demonstrate the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. The nature of the toxoplasmic agression is discussed. It may be that reactivation of a previous infection due to the rupture of cysts was promoted by the immunologic disorders and complement deficiency related to systemic lupus erythematosus.