Successful management of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor-induced Sweet syndrome in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Jan;60(1):46-51. doi: 10.5414/CP204088.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors are widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, some patients have unexpected inflammatory episodes during anti-TNF therapy. The objective of our research was to highlight a paradoxical case of anti-TNF-agent-induced Sweet syndrome compared with Sweet syndrome treated by anti-TNF agents. We describe a 62-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis presenting with multiple polymorphic indurated skin macules and plaques after 2 months of adalimumab therapy. Neutrophilic dermatosis was diagnosed based on the clinical presentation and skin biopsy and may have resulted from extraintestinal manifestations of a flare-up of IBD or been induced by adalimumab therapy. We conclude that when facing this dilemma, adalimumab should be discontinued, and the dose of prednisolone should be increased before determining the definitive cause. Based on drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) risk assessment in the 10-D assessment system, this case was classified as grade 1 (no risk). Finally, we review the molecular and cellular mechanisms connecting cytokine dysregulation to Sweet syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab / adverse effects
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / chemically induced
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases*
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sweet Syndrome* / chemically induced
  • Sweet Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Adalimumab