Serious musculoskeletal infections in children receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy: a case series

Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Jun;29(6):677-81. doi: 10.1007/s10067-010-1410-x. Epub 2010 Apr 10.

Abstract

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) agents are widely used to treat children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) whose disease is resistant to conventional therapy. Although generally well tolerated, use of these agents has been associated with an increased risk of infection. In particular, in patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha agents, there is an increased susceptibility to infection by intracellular organisms such as tuberculosis, and common infections may present atypically or be more severe. We report four cases of serious musculoskeletal infections among 31 children with JIA being treated with anti-TNF-alpha agents, two of which were secondary to group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / immunology
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / chemically induced*
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Infliximab