摘要
Background. Infliximab (Remicade.) is an anti- TNF alpha indicated in the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatism, notably rheumatoid arthritis. Case- report. We report the case of a 56 year- old woman who developed severe worsening of an SSA- positive subacute lupus erythematosus on initiation of treatment with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. Discussion. A review of the literature found 30 cases of drug- induced lupus and listed the autoimmune modifications induced by anti- TNF alpha. This first case of subacute lupus erythematosus, existing before the introduction of treatment and worsening during the latter, emphasizes the risk of developing a severe flare of an autoimmune disease during treatment with anti- TNF alpha. It raises the question of the relative contraindications of anti- TNF alpha in patients with lupus erythematosus.
Background. Infliximab (Remicade.) is an anti- TNF alpha indicated in the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatism, notably rheumatoid arthritis. Case- report. We report the case of a 56 year- old woman who developed severe worsening of an SSA- positive subacute lupus erythematosus on initiation of treatment with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. Discussion. A review of the literature found 30 cases of drug- induced lupus and listed the autoimmune modifications induced by anti- TNF alpha. This first case of subacute lupus erythematosus, existing before the introduction of treatment and worsening during the latter, emphasizes the risk of developing a severe flare of an autoimmune disease during treatment with anti- TNF alpha. It raises the question of the relative contraindications of anti- TNF alpha in patients with lupus erythematosus.
