[Sarcoid-like granulomatosis in patients treated with anti-TNFα]

Rev Med Liege. 2016 Mar;71(3):124-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Over recent years, anti-TNFα have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The principal secondary effect of anti-TNFα is tuberculosis infections. Another paradoxical effect, previously less well understood, is the development of sarcoid-like granulomatous reactions. We report the case of a 36 year old woman who had been treated for 9 years with anti-TNF alpha. She developed a pulmonary sarcoid-like gra-nulomatosis, complication that is rare but not exceptional in patients treated with TNF-blockers. Discontinuation of anti TNF usually led to recovery. It has been suggested that these reactions mainly occur with etanercept, but this requires further confirmation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Etanercept / adverse effects*
  • Etanercept / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Granuloma / chemically induced*
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / chemically induced*
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Etanercept