Pulmonary infectious complications associated with anti-TNFalpha therapy (infliximab) for rheumatoid arthritis

Intern Med. 2006;45(10):685-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1623. Epub 2006 Jun 15.

Abstract

Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that developed serious infectious complications following anti-TNFalpha therapy (infliximab) are reported. Patient 1 developed tuberculosis with high fever, refractory diarrhea and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Trans-bronchial needle biopsy was useful to confirm the diagnosis. Patient 2 showed sudden onset of dyspnea with diffuse bilateral lung infiltration caused by pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and the diagnosis was confirmed by broncho-alveolar lavage. Physicians should be alerted to infectious complications with atypical presentation and rapid progression in infliximab-treated patients. Invasive diagnostic procedures including fiber-optic bronchoscopy may be necessary early in the course for such cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Infliximab
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Opportunistic Infections*
  • Pneumocystis carinii*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / etiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Methotrexate