Mycobacterium Avium Complex Septic Arthritis in a Patient Treated by Infliximab

Am J Ther. 2016 Sep-Oct;23(5):e1222-5. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000318.

Abstract

Infliximab is one of the TNF-α inhibitors, a class of medications that made a revolution in treatment of rheumatic diseases especially rheumatoid arthritis. The activation of tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections has been described in the setting of TNF-α inhibitor therapy, but septic arthritis relating to this treatment has not yet been reported in previous literature. We describe a 50-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who developed Mycobacterium Avium Complex septic arthritis, while being treated with infliximab for active skin disease. This case highlights an important complication related to therapy with TNF-α inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Infectious / etiology*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab / administration & dosage
  • Infliximab / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium avium Complex / isolation & purification*
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / etiology
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab