We present here two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving the central nervous system and kidney. They showed subcutaneous and / or intramuscular abscesses in the course of the disease.
The first case had massive subcutaneous abscess in the right arm. The abscess may have been induced by palsy dominant on the right side and intramuscular injections of anticonvulsant near the lesion.
The second case had recurrent myalgia. Subcutaneous abscess was noted at the right internal malleolus. Intramuscular abscesses (pyomyositis) were noted in the left gluteal and thigh muscles by echography, CT scan and garium 67 citrate scintigraphy. Leukopenia, hypofunction of T lymphocytes and poor killing activity of granulocytes may be the cause of abscesses.
S.epidermidis, Bacteroides species and Candida albicans were cultured from the first case and S.aureus from the second.