Sulfasalazine-induced aseptic meningitis

Aseptic meningitis is a clinical syndrome of meningeal inflammation without clear infectious aetiology. Drug-induced aseptic meningitis is a well-documented but poorly understood side effect of a variety of medications, and has rarely been described with the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine. This report describes the case of a man in his 60s presenting with aseptic meningitis after commencing sulfasalazine for seronegative arthritis one month prior. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid showed a predominantly mononuclear leucocytosis, slightly elevated protein and normal glucose. Cerebrospinal fluid microscopy, culture, sensitivities and polymerase chain reaction testing were negative for bacterial and viral causes of meningitis. The patient improved with cessation of sulfasalazine. Antimicrobial treatment was ceased with ongoing resolution of symptoms, supporting a diagnosis of sulfasalazine-induced aseptic meningitis. Clinicians should consider a diagnosis of sulfasalazine-induced aseptic meningitis when other aetiologies of meningitis have been excluded, particularly in the first weeks to months of commencing sulfasalazine.