Tuberculose pulmonar causada pelo uso de infliximab em paciente com Doença de Crohn / Pulmonary tuberculosis caused by the use of infliximab in a patient with Crohn's Disease

A doença de Crohn é uma patologia caracterizada pela inflamação transmural do trato gastrointestinal, compondo o espectro das doenças inflamatórias intestinais. Nos casos mais graves, dispõe de tratamento com uso de agentes biológicos e imunomoduladores que podem à reativação ou exacerbação de doenças infecciosas preexistentes. Este relato de caso trata de uma paciente do sexo feminino de 24 anos, diagnosticada com Doença de Crohn há 10 anos, evoluindo com necessidade de tratamento com infliximab e, após período de menos de 1 ano, apresentou odinofagia progressiva, dor abdominal e diarreia, além de perda ponderal, sudorese noturna e febre diária. Tomografia computadorizada de tórax evidenciou árvore em brotamento, sendo confirmado diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar pelo Teste Rápido Molecular no escarro e provável tuberculose laríngea e intestinal.

Crohn's disease is a pathology characterized by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising the spectrum of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. In the most severe cases, treatment using biological agents and immunomodulators may be available, which can lead to the reactivation or exacerbation of preexisting infectious diseases. This case report is about a 24-year-old female patient, diagnosed with Crohn's disease 10 years ago, evolving in need of treatment with Infliximab and, after a period of less than 1 year, she presented progressive odynophagia, abdominal pain and diarrhea, in addition to weight loss, night sweats and daily fever. Chest computer tomography showed a tree in bud, and the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed by the Rapid Molecular Test in the sputum and probable laryngeal and intestinal tuberculosis.

Retrospective analysis of infliximab in the treatment of Kawasaki disease / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) therapy for children with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Sixty-eight children with Kawasaki disease who received IFX therapy in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2014 to April 2021 were enrolled. The indications for IFX administration, changes in laboratory parameters before and after IFX administration, response rate, drug adverse events and complications and outcomes of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) were retrospectively analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. Results: Among 68 children with Kawasaki disease, 52 (76%) were males and 16 (24%) were females. The age of onset was 2.1 (0.5, 3.8) years. IFX was administered to: (1) 35 children (51%) with persistent fever who did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or steroids, 28 of the 35 children (80%) developed CAA before IFX therapy; (2) 32 children (47%) with continuous progression of CAA; (3) 1 child with persistent arthritis. In all cases, IFX was administered as an additional treatment (the time from the onset of illness to IFX therapy was 21 (15, 30) days) which consisted of second line therapy in 20 (29%), third line therapy in 20 (29%), and fourth (or more) line therapy in 28 (41%). C-reactive protein (8 (4, 15) vs. 16 (8, 43) mg/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001), serum amyloid protein A (17 (10, 42) vs. 88 (11, 327) mg/L, Z=-2.36, P=0.018) and the percentage of neutrophils (0.39±0.20 vs. 0.49±0.21, t=2.63, P=0.010) decreased significantly after IFX administration. Fourteen children (21%) did not respond to IFX and received additional therapies mainly including steroids and cyclophosphamide. There was no significant difference in gender, age at IFX administration, time from the onset of illness to IFX administration, the maximum coronary Z value before IFX administration, and the incidence of systemic aneurysms between IFX-sensitive group and IFX-resistant group (all P>0.05). Infections occurred in 11 cases (16%) after IFX administration, including respiratory tract, digestive tract, urinary tract, skin and oral infections. One case had Calmette-Guérin bacillus-related adverse reactions 2 months after IFX administration. All of these adverse events were cured successfully. One child died of CAA rupture, 6 children were lost to follow up, the remaining 61 children were followed up for 6 (4, 15) months. No CAA occurred in 7 children before and after IFX treatment, while CAA occurred in 54 children before IFX treatment. CAA regressed in 23 (43%) children at the last follow-up, and the diameter of coronary artery recovered to normal in 10 children. Conclusion: IFX is an effective and safe therapeutic choice for children with Kawasaki disease who are refractory to IVIG or steroids therapy or with continuous progression of CAA.

Gummatous cutaneous tuberculosis associated with the use of infliximab for Crohn's disease

Abstract As the treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases improved, the prevalence of these conditions declined. However, with the expansion of the use of immunobiologicals, opportunistic infections have emerged, especially under atypical presentations. The present study reports the case of a patient treated with infliximab for Crohn's disease, who presented diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, and subcutaneous erythematous nodules that evolved with spontaneous fluctuation and ulceration. With the finding of alcohol-resistant bacilli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in a cutaneous fragment, through polymerase chain reaction, the diagnosis of gummatous tuberculosis was confirmed, probably secondary to hematogenous dissemination from an intestinal focus.

Tuberculosis pulmonar asociada a Infliximab: a propósito del primer caso reportado en Cuba / Infliximab-associated pulmonary tuberculosis: regarding the first case reported in Cuba

La terapia con fármacos antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa ha sido beneficiosa en el tratamiento de varias enfermedades como las del tejido conectivo e inflamatorias del intestino, pero no está exenta de riesgos. Las principales complicaciones de estas drogas inmunosupresoras son las infecciones, y la tuberculosis pulmonar es una de las principales afecciones, que se pueden observar en los pacientes con este tipo de tratamiento.Se presentó una mujer de 31 años, atendida en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, La Habana, Cuba, con antecedentes de colitis ulcerativa, que hace 3 meses recibe terapia con Infliximab. Acude al hospital por referir 4 días previos al ingreso, fiebre de 390 C dos veces al día, acompañándose de cefalea, pérdida del apetito y dolor en la región perineal. Se le realizó radiografía de tórax, donde se describe radiopacidad heterogénea que va desde el cuerno superior del hilio derecho hasta planos axilares, en la tomografía axial de tórax reportan consolidación en segmento anterior del lóbulo superior derecho con presencia de broncograma aéreo y en el lavado bronquial microbiológico para bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes se informó codificación 8, positivo a Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El diagnóstico preciso de tuberculosis relacionada con el uso de fármacos antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa requiere un alto índice de sospecha y una investigación detallada. Existe un alto grado de complejidad diagnóstica, por la existencia de un amplio espectro clínico y la necesidad de excluir otras enfermedades.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drug therapy has been beneficial in the treatment of several diseases such as connective tissue and inflammatory bowel diseases, but it is not without risks. The main complications of these immunosuppressive drugs are infections, and pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the main conditions, which can be observed in patients with this type of treatment. A 31-year-old woman, treated at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital, Havana, Cuba, with a history of ulcerative colitis, who has been receiving Infliximab therapy for 3 months, presented. He went to the hospital for referring 4 days prior to admission, a fever of 390 C twice a day, accompanied by headache, loss of appetite and pain in the perineal region. A chest X-ray was performed, which described heterogeneous radiopacity that goes from the upper horn of the right hilum to axillary planes, in the chest axial tomography they report consolidation in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe with the presence of air bronchogram and in the bronchial lavage microbiological for acid-fast bacilli coding 8, positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis was reported. Accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis related to the use of tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs requires a high index of suspicion and detailed investigation. There is a high degree of diagnostic complexity, due to the existence of a wide clinical spectrum and the need to exclude other diseases.

Mecanismos de ação da anexina A1 na doença intestinal inflamatória tratada com infliximabe / Annexin A1 pathways triggered in the inflammatory bowel disease treated with infliximab

As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DIIs) são enfermidades crônicas desencadeadas por grave inflamação no trato gastrointestinal. Entre os mediadores imunes envolvidos na patogênese das DIIs, o fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e sugerido como citocina primordial. Assim, ferramentas de inativação da via do TNF-α, como o infliximabe (IFX), tem sido amplamente aplicadas no tratamento destas doenças. Embora o IFX seja eficaz na indução/manutenção de remissão das DIIs, ainda há relatos de efeitos adversos ou pacientes refratários a imunoterapia. Por esse motivo, e emergente a necessidade de identificar biomarcadores associados ao sucesso das terapias biológicas. Estudos prévios em pacientes com Doença de Crohn (DC) mostraram que a expressão da proteína anti-inflamatória anexina A1 (AnxA1) sistêmica e na mucosa intestinal e aumentada após IFX e correlacionada com a melhora da qualidade de vida. A AnxA1 e o seu peptídeo N-terminal, Ac2-26, desempenham suas funções na resolução da inflamação via receptores para peptídeo formilado (FPRs). No presente estudo, nós investigamos de que maneira os FPRs e a AnxA1 participam dos mecanismos do IFX. No modelo de colite experimental induzida por dextran sulfato de sódio (DSS) em camundongos selvagens (WT) e deficientes para AnxA1 endógena (AnxA1-/-), o IFX atenuou as manifestações clínicas da doença apenas em animais WT. O bloqueio dos FPRs com o antagonista Boc-2 reverteu a melhora observada nos animais tratados, enquanto a ausência da AnxA1 endógena revogou completamente a eficácia do tratamento. Ainda, a resposta inflamatória da colite foi exacerbada nos animais AnxA1-/- após IFX, que apresentaram redução de células T regulatórias e aumento da MMP9 no colon, encurtamento do intestino grosso, ausência de melhora histológica e mortalidade de 50%. Nos animais WT, por sua vez, o bloqueio dos FPRs impediu a melhora clínica e a regeneração das criptas mucosas, com desorganização da ß-actina e da borda em escova. Nas células epiteliais do intestino da linhagem Caco-2 estimuladas por TNF-α in vitro, confirmamos que os efeitos protetivos do IFX nas junções celulares são perdidos após bloqueio do FPR1 e do FPR2, comprometendo a integridade desta barreira. No colon, o IFX induziu a expressão e secreção da AnxA1 em células da lamina própria após colite, e essa secreção foi dose-dependente em células da lamina própria tratadas ex vivo, demonstrando que a secreção da AnxA1 por células do tecido conjuntivo pode constituir um dos mecanismos resolutivos desta terapia. Em humanos, o tratamento com IFX na DC não modificou as expressões de FPR1 e FPR2 nos leucócitos circulantes ou da AnxA1 plasmática, não permitindo a diferenciação de pacientes responsivos ou não. No entanto, a AnxA1 tecidual estava aumentada em pacientes que respondem ao IFX, e os níveis de AnxA1 e FPR1 foram negativamente correlacionados a remissão histológica. Por fim, análises de bioinformática revelaram expressões diferenciais dos mRNAs de FPR1, FPR2 e AnxA1 no colon entre pacientes remissivos ou refratários mesmo antes do início das infusões, mas esse mesmo padrão não foi observado nos PBMCs do sangue. Em conclusão, sugerimos que a indução da AnxA1 pode ser um dos mecanismos de resolução do IFX, e que é complementado pela ativação de FPRs. Ainda, estes marcadores podem apresentar valor preditivo da eficácia do IFX, contribuindo para o alcance da remissão da DC de maneira mais rápida e permanente

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic debilitating illnesses triggered by severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is pointed out as a primordial mediator of IBD pathogenesis; thus, inactivating tools targeting this cytokine have been widely used to treat these diseases. Although IFX is very efficient in inducing/maintaining remission in patients with IBD, side effects and unresponsiveness are still reported, emerging the need for the identification of biomarkers linked to therapeutical efficacy. In the Crohns disease (CD), systemic and tissue expressions of the anti-inflammatory protein, annexin A1 (AnxA1), are increased after IFX treatment and correlate with life quality improvement according to previous reports. AnxA1 and its N-terminal peptide, Ac2-26, act via formyl peptide receptors (FPRs); therefore, the present investigation aimed to understand how FPRs and AnxA1 participate in IFX mechanisms. In the experimental colitis model induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in wild-type (WT) and AnxA1-deficient mice (AnxA1-/-), IFX attenuated the clinical manifestations only in the WT group. FPRs blockade using the antagonist, Boc-2, impaired IFX effects in WT mice, while AnxA1 absence completely abrogated its efficacy. Furthermore, the inflammatory response was exacerbated after IFX in AnxA1-/- mice, with reduced T regulatory cells, increased tissue MMP9, large intestine shortening, lack of histological remission and 50% mortality. In WT mice, FPR blockade reverted the clinical recovery and mucosal crypts regeneration, with b-actina and brush border disorganization. Using the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 stimulated with TNF-α in vitro, we confirmed that IFX protective effects on tight junctions are lost after FPR1 and FPR2 blockade, compromising the barrier integrity. In the colonic tissue, the expression and secretion of AnxA1 were induced by IFX after colitis. This secretion was shown to be dose-dependent in cells from the intestinal lamina propria treated ex vivo, demonstrating that secreted AnxA1 could constitute one of the resolutive mechanisms of that therapy. In humans with CD, IFX did not modify the expressions of FPR1 and FPR2 in circulating leukocytes or the plasma AnxA1 levels, not differentiating patients responsive or not. However, tissue AnxA1 expression was augmented in responsive patients, and AnxA1/FPR1 levels were negatively correlated with histological remission. Finally, bioinformatic analyses revealed differential expression of FPR1, FPR2 and AnxA1 mRNAs in the colon among remittent or refractory patients even before the beginning of infusions, which was not observed for samples of blood PBCM. In conclusion, we suggest that inducing tissue AnxA1 might be one of the resolution mechanisms of IFX, which is complemented by the activation of FPRs. Moreover, these markers could present predictive value of IFX efficacy, contributing to reaching an early and more permanent remission in IBD

Spitz nevus and infliximab: association or coincidence?

Abstract Biological therapies, including anti-TNF agents, are important in the treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. The increased use of these drugs translates into an increasing awareness of its adverse effects, which include malignancy. In this paper, we describe the case of a 28-year-old woman who developed a spitzoid melanocytic tumor after starting infliximab therapy for ulcerative colitis. The evidence for causality between anti-TNF and melanocytic proliferations is still sparse; nonetheless, treatment-associated immunosuppression seems to play a key role in this phenomenon. Therefore, a regular follow-up with a rigorous skin examination is essential in these patients. Noninvasive techniques such as dermoscopy or reflectance confocal microscopy are particularly useful diagnostic tools in these circumstances.

Early intestinal obstruction after infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease

There is scarce knowledge on early intestinal obstruction in Crohn's disease (CD) after infliximab treatment. Therefore, we describe two cases of early intestinal obstruction in a series of 46 CD patients treated with infliximab. Both our two cases were 21-year-old men with newly diagnosed CD who were diagnosed with perianal disease 2 years previously. They were suffering from diarrhea and abdominal pain, but there were no symptoms indicating bowel obstruction. Radiographic studies revealed stenotic sites in the terminal ileum in both cases. In both cases, infliximab 300 mg was infused, after which their abnormal laboratory data as well as symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain clearly improved. However, on the 11th or 13th day post-treatment, they presented abdominal distension with air-fluid levels on imaging studies. Ileocolonic resection was performed in both cases. Early intestinal obstruction after infliximab therapy is characterized by initial improvement of the symptoms and the laboratory data, which is soon followed by clinical deterioration. This outcome indicates that infliximab is so swiftly effective that the healing process tapers the stenotic site, resulting in bowel obstruction. Thus, although unpleasant and severe, the obstruction cannot be considered as a side effect but rather a consequence of infliximab's efficacy. CD patients with intestinal stricture, particularly the penetrating type with stricture, should be well informed about the risk of developing intestinal obstruction after infliximab therapy and the eventual need for surgical intervention

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis: a case report of reactivation in a patient receiving biological therapy

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic disease in Latin America that is rarely associated with immunosuppression and biological therapy. Herein, we report for the first time a case of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis reactivation after infliximab treatment. A 47-year-old man from Brazil received infliximab to treat psoriatic spondyloarthropathy and presented with cough, dyspnea, weight loss, and fever. Chest computed tomography revealed a pulmonary nodule and biopsy confirmed paracoccidioidomycosis. Treatment with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim was initiated for fungal infection and infliximab was reintroduced two months later. Considering his clinical improvement and favorable radiologic evolution, antifungal therapy was discontinued after 29 months.

Desarrollo de infección tuberculosa latente y efectos adversos de la isoniazida durante tratamiento con biológico por enfermedad de Crohn / Development of latent tuberculosis and adverse effects with isoniazid during biologist therapy´s in Crohn´s disease / Desenvolvimento de tuberculose latente durante e efeitos adversos da isoniazida o tratamento com biológicos para a doença de Crohn

Los fármacos anti factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α) bloquean una de las citoquinas implicadas en la patogénesis de la Enfermedad Inflamatoria intestinal (EII). Su uso se relaciona con aumento de tuberculosis (TB), por lo que el despistaje previo es obligatorio. En la infección tuberculosa latente (ITBL) se utiliza isoniazida como quimioprofilaxis, fármaco que no se encuentra libre de reacciones adversas. Se presenta y discute el caso de una paciente con reacción adversa en piel secundaria al uso de isoniazida.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alfa drugs are responsible for blocking one of the cytoquines implicated on inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Its use has been linked to an increase in tuberculosis cases which is why screening before starting treatment is mandatory. Latent tuberculosis is treated with isoniazid as chemoprophylaxis although its use may provoke adverse effects. A case is presented of a patient with skin adverse reaction due to the use of isoniazid.

Os medicamentos anti factor de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α ) bloqueiam uma das citocinas envolvidas na patogénese da doença inflamatória intestinal (DII). A sua utilização está associada com um aumento da tuberculose (TB), de modo que a despistagem anterior dessa doença é necessária. Na TB latente, frequentemente se utiliza a isoniazida é usado como quimioprofilaxia, uma droga que não está livre de reações adversas. Apresentamos e discutimos o caso de uma paciente com reação adversa na pele secundária ao uso da isoniazida.

Perfil de segurança da terapia anti-TNF na doença de Crohn: um estudo observacional brasileiro comparativo entre infliximabe e adalimumabe / Safety profile of anti-tnf therapy in crohn's disease management: a brazilian single-center direct retrospective comparison between infliximab and adalimumab

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Infliximab and adalimumab are considered effective drugs in the management of Crohn's disease. However, due to significant immunossupression, they can cause important adverse events, mostly infections. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify and describe adverse events derived from adalimumab and infliximab use in Crohn's disease patients, and to compare the safety profile between these two agents. METHODS: This was an observational, single-center, longitudinal, retrospective study with Crohn's disease patients under infliximab or adalimumab therapy. Variables analyzed: demographic characteristics (including the Montreal classification), type of agent used, concomitant immunomodulators, presence and types of adverse events observed. Patients were allocated in two groups (infliximab and adalimumab) and had their adverse events accessed and subsequently compared. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were included (68 in infliximab and 62 in adalimumab groups, respectively). The groups were fully homogeneous in all baseline characteristics, with a median follow-up of 47.21±36.52 months in the infliximab group and 47.79±35.09 in the adalimumab group (P=0.512). Adverse events were found in 43/68 (63.2%) and 40/62 (64.5%) in each group, respectively (P=0.879). There were no differences between the groups regarding infections (P=0.094) or treatment interruption (P=0.091). There were higher rates of infusion reactions in the infliximab group (P=0.016). Cephalea and injection site reactions were more prevalent in adalimumab patients. CONCLUSION: Adverse events were found in approximately two thirds of Crohn's disease patients under anti-TNF therapy, and there were no significant differences between infliximab or adalimumab.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A utilização de inibidores do fator de necrose tumoral (TNF) alfa no manejo da doença de Crohn é cada vez mais frequente. Tanto o infliximabe quanto o adalimumabe são considerados medicamentos efetivos no controle da doença. Entretanto, por serem potentes imunossupressores, podem causar efeitos adversos importantes, principalmente infecções. OBJETIVO: O objetivo primário deste estudo foi analisar a presença de efeitos adversos dos anti-TNFs em portadores de doença de Crohn, comparando-se infliximabe e adalimumabe e individualizando-se o perfil de segurança de cada droga. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, longitudinal e retrospectivo, que incluiu portadores de doença de Crohn com uso de infliximabe ou adalimumabe de uma coorte de pacientes tratados em um único centro. Analisou-se características demográficas (incluindo-se a classificação de Montreal), tipo de agente utilizado, presença e tipo dos eventos adversos observados, entre outras variáveis. Os pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos (infliximabe e adalimumabe) e tiveram os efeitos adversos anotados e posteriormente comparados. RESULTADOS: Um total de 130 pacientes foram incluídos (68 com infliximabe e 62 com adalimumabe). Os grupos foram homogêneos em todas as variáveis analisadas, com tempo de seguimento médio de 47,21±36,52 meses no grupo infliximabe e 47,79±35,09 no grupo adalimumabe (P=0,512). Efeitos adversos foram encontrados em 43/68 (63,2%) e 40/62 (64,5%) nos dois grupos, respectivamente (P=0,879). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a infecções (P=0,094) ou interrupção do tratamento (P=0,091). Houve maiores índices de reações infusionais no grupo infliximabe (P=0,016). Cefaleia e reações no local das injeções foram mais frequentes no grupo adalimumabe. CONCLUSÃO: Efeitos adversos foram encontrados em cerca de dois terços dos pacientes com doença de Crohn em uso de anti-TNF, não havendo maiores diferenças em relação ao uso de infliximabe ou adalimumabe.

Linfoma difuso de células grandes B rectal en un paciente con colitis ulcerosa / Rectal diffuse large B cell lymphoma appearing after immunosuppression for ulcerative colitis: report of one case

Primary colorectal lymphoma is a rare form of presentation of gastrointestinal tract lymphomas. Inflammatory bowel disease and its treatment are risk factors for its development. We report a 47-year-old male patient with Ulcerative Colitis of two years of evolution, treated initially with azathioprine and later on with infliximab. Due to a relapse in symptoms after the second dose of infliximab, a new coloncoscopy was performed showing a rectal ulcerative lesion, corresponding to a large cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The patient was successfully treated with RCHOP chemotherapy (Rituximab cyclophosphamide doxorubicin vincristine prednisone). He is currently in disease remission.

Neumonía por Pneumocystis jiroveci post inicio de tratamiento con infliximab en paciente con enfermedad de Crohn / Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia following infliximab therapy in patient with Crohn's disease

There are no evidence-based guidelines about prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of P. jiroveci pneumonia in patient with Crohn's disease receiving infliximab and methotrexate. This case emphasizes the importance of considering the possibility of this infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated on biological therapy.

Paradoxical psoriasis after the use of anti-TNF in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract The use of tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF) has become a usual practice to treat various inflammatory diseases. Although indicated for the treatment of psoriasis, anti-TNF may paradoxically trigger a psoriasiform condition. We present a case of a female patient who, during the use of infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis, developed psoriasis. In an attempt to switch anti-TNF class, we observed a cumulative worsening of the lesions requiring suspension of the immunobiological agent and the introduction of other drugs for clinical control. The therapeutic challenge of this paradoxical form of psoriasis is the focus of our discussion. The use of another anti-TNF in these patients is a matter of debate among experts.

Infliximab in patients with psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases: evaluation of adverse events in the treatment of 168 patients

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with preference for skin and joints. The skin involvement occurs by hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. It is associated with comorbidities, mainly related to the clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. Increased TNF-alpha expression (TNF-α) is related to its pathophysiology. Infliximab is an intravenous drug that acts neutralizing the biological activity of TNF-α and prevents the binding of the molecule to the target cell receptor, inhibiting cell proliferation of psoriasis and other diseases mediated by TNF-α. A lot of infusion reactions have been described in the literature. Objective: To evaluate the adverse effects of intravenous treatment with infliximab, analyzing patients with psoriasis compared to those with other chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Method: Analysis of medical records and adverse events of 168 patients undergoing infliximab infusion for psoriasis and chronic inflammatory diseases treatment. Results: 168 patients who have used infliximab were evaluated, 24 had psoriasis and 144 had chronic inflammatory diseases. Only 2 (8.3%) patients with psoriasis showed adverse events requiring treatment discontinuation, and just 6 (4.2%) female patients with chronic inflammatory diseases experienced adverse events. Conclusion: Infliximab is a safe drug, with a low percentage of adverse events and there were more adverse events in women with chronic inflammatory diseases and in patients who received more infliximab infusions.

Anti-TNF-α and hydralazine drug-induced lupus

Drug-induced lupus is a rare drug reaction featuring the same symptoms as idiopathic lupus erythematosus. Recently, with the introduction of new medicines in clinical practice, an increase in the number of illness-triggering implicated drugs has been reported, with special emphasis on anti-TNF-α drugs. In the up-to-date list, almost one hundred medications have been associated with the occurrence of drug-induced lupus. The authors present two case reports of the illness induced respectively by hydralazine and infliximab, addressing the clinical and laboratorial characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pneumonia por Legionella após uso de Infliximabe em paciente com Artrite Reumatoide / Legionella pneumonia after infliximab in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Os antagonistas do fator de necrose tumoral (anti-TNF) têm sido utilizados com sucesso em várias doenças inflamatórias crônicas, como artrite reumatoide (AR), mas alguns estudos observaram a ocorrência de infecções por patógenos intracelulares em pacientes medicados com anti-TNF. Relatamos um caso de paciente mulher com diagnóstico prévio de AR durante 16 anos e que estava sendo medicada com várias drogas antirreumáticas modificadoras de doença (DARMDs), tendo como resultado o insucesso terapêutico, sendo em seguida tratada com infliximab. Depois de transcorridos 15 dias da segunda dose, a paciente foi acome- tida por dor torácica ventilatório-dependente, tosse seca e dispneia. Foi hospitalizada, e o diagnóstico de pneumonia por Legionella pneumophila foi confirmado pela presença do antí- geno de Legionella na urina. TNF é uma citocina inflamatória que também promove inibição do crescimento bacteriano de patógenos intracelulares, e sua inibição parece aumentar a sensibilidade a essas infecções em alguns pacientes.

The antagonists of tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) have been successfully used in several chronic inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but some studies have observed the development of infections by intracellular pathogens in patients using anti-TNF. We report a case of a female patient with previous diagnosis of RA for 16 years that used several disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that resulted in treatment failure, and then was treated with infliximab. After fifteen days of the second dose, the patient developed ventilatory-dependent chest pain, dry cough and dyspnea. She was hospitalized, and the diagnosis of pneumonia by Legionella pneumophila was confirmed by the presence of Legionella antigen in an urine test. TNF is an inflammatory cytokine that also acts inhibiting the bacterial growth of intracellular pathogens, and its inhibition seems to increase susceptibility to these infections in some patients.

A Case of Late Onset-Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis with Infliximab and Mesalazine Treatment in a Patient with Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

Infliximab is a chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody. Infusion related reactions and infection are well known side effects of infliximab; however, renal complications have not been well recognized. We report on a patient with late onset-acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) after treatment with infliximab and mesalazine for Crohn's disease. A 25-year-old woman was admitted with a purpuric rash on both lower extremities and arthralgia. She had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease 5.6 years previously and had been treated with mesalazine and infliximab. Serum creatinine level, last measured one year ago, was elevated from 0.6 mg/dL to 1.9 mg/dL. Results of urinalysis, ultrasound, and serologic examinations were normal. With a tentative diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, oral prednisolone was given, and serum creatinine decreased to 1.46 mg/dL, but was elevated to 2.6 mg/dL again at two months after discontinuation of prednisolone. Renal biopsy indicated that ATIN was probably induced by drug, considering significant infiltration of eosinophils. Concomitant use of infliximab with mesalazine was supposed to trigger ATIN. Oral prednisolone was administered, and serum creatinine level showed partial recovery. Thus, ATIN should be suspected as a cause of renal impairment in Crohn's disease even after a long period of maintenance treatment with infliximab and mesalazine.

Comparative analysis of adverse events between infliximab and adalimumab in Crohn's disease management: a Brazilian single-centre experience / Análise comparativa dos eventos adversos entre infliximabe e adalimumabe no tratamento da doença de Crohn: experiência em um centro brasileiro

INTRODUCTION: Data is scarce regarding adverse events (AE) of biological therapy used in the management of Crohn's Disease (CD) among Brazilian patients. OBJECTIVES: To analyse AE prevalence and profile in patients with CD treated with Infliximab (IFX) or Adalimumab (ADA) and to verify whether there are differences between the two drugs. METHOD: Retrospective observational single-centre study of CD patients on biological therapy. Variables analysed: Demographic data, Montreal classification, biological agent administered, treatment duration, presence and type of AE and the need for treatment interruption. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were analysed, 25 treated with ADA and 24 with IFX. The groups were homogeneous in relation to the variables studied. The average follow-up period for the group treated with ADA was 19.3 months and 21.8 months for the IFX group (p = 0.585). Overall, 40% (n = 10) of patients taking ADA had AE compared with 50% (n = 12) of IFX users (p = 0.571). There was a tendency towards higher incidence of cutaneous and infusion reactions in the IFX group and higher incidence of infections in the ADA treated group, although without significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in the AE prevalence and profile between ADA and IFX CD patients in the population studied. (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Há poucos dados sobre os eventos adversos (EA) da terapia biológica usada no tratamento da doença de Crohn (DC) entre os pacientes brasileiros. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a prevalência dos EA e o perfil dos pacientes com DC tratados com Infliximabe (IFX) ou Adalimumabe (ADA) e verificar se há diferenças entre esses dois fármacos. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional e retrospectivo de pacientes com DC em terapia biológica, realizado em centro único. As variáveis analisadas foram: dados demográficos, classificação de Montreal, agente biológico administrado, duração do tratamento, presença e tipo de EA e necessidade de interrupção do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e nove pacientes foram analisados, 25 tratados com ADA e 24 com IFX. Os grupos eram homogêneos em relação às variáveis estudadas. O período médio de acompanhamento foi de 19,3 meses para o grupo tratado com ADA e de 21,8 meses para o grupo tratado com IFX (p = 0,585). No total, 40% dos pacientes (n = 10) que receberam ADA tiveram AE, em comparação com 50% dos pacientes (n = 12) que receberam IFX (p = 0,571). Houve uma maior incidência de reação cutânea e à infusão no grupo IFX e de infecções no grupo ADA, embora sem diferença significativa. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferença na prevalência de EA e no perfil dos pacientes com DC que receberam ADA e IFX. (AU)