Macrophage activation syndrome with acute hepatitis E during tocilizumab treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Joint Bone Spine. 2015 Jul;82(4):278-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.01.018. Epub 2015 Mar 16.

Abstract

Tocilizumab is a humanized antibody against the membrane and soluble receptors for interleukin-6. Tocilizumab is among the disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used to treat moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to conventional DMARDs. We report a case of macrophage activation syndrome that complicated acute hepatitis E and started within 24hours after the fourth tocilizumab infusion in a patient with RA.

Keywords: Acute hepatitis E; Macrophage activation syndrome; Rheumatoid arthritis; Tocilizumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis E / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / etiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • tocilizumab