BACKGROUND Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a complication of ulcerative colitisassociated with high levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha, due to theintense inflammation and faster stool clearanc...BACKGROUND Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a complication of ulcerative colitisassociated with high levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha, due to theintense inflammation and faster stool clearance of anti-tumor necrosis factordrugs. Dose-intensified infliximab treatment can be beneficial and is associatedwith lower rates of colectomy. The aim of the study was to present a case of apatient with ASUC and megacolon, treated with hydrocortisone and acceleratedscheme of infliximab that was monitored by drug trough level.CASE SUMMARYA 22-year-old female patient diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, presented withdiarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, vomiting, and distended abdomen.During investigation, a positive toxin for Clostridium difficile and colonic dilatationof 7 cm consistent with megacolon were observed. She was treated with oralvancomycin for pseudomembranous colitis and intravenous hydrocortisone forsevere colitis, which led to the resolution of megacolon. Due to the persistentsevere colitis symptoms, infliximab 5 mg/kg was prescribed, monitored by drugtrough level (8.8 μg/mL) and fecal calprotectin of 921 μg/g (< 30 μg/g). Based onthe low infliximab trough level after one week from the first infliximab dose, thepatient received a second infusion at week 1, consistent with the acceleratedregimen (infusions at weeks 0, 1, 2 and 6). We achieved a positive clinical andendoscopic response after 6 mo of therapy, without the need for a colectomy.CONCLUSIONInfliximab accelerated infusions can be beneficial in ASUC unresponsive to thetreatment with intravenous corticosteroids. Longitudinal studies are necessary todefine the best therapeutic drug monitoring and treatment regimen for thesepatients.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a complication of ulcerative colitisassociated with high levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha, due to theintense inflammation and faster stool clearance of anti-tumor necrosis factordrugs. Dose-intensified infliximab treatment can be beneficial and is associatedwith lower rates of colectomy. The aim of the study was to present a case of apatient with ASUC and megacolon, treated with hydrocortisone and acceleratedscheme of infliximab that was monitored by drug trough level.CASE SUMMARYA 22-year-old female patient diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, presented withdiarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, vomiting, and distended abdomen.During investigation, a positive toxin for Clostridium difficile and colonic dilatationof 7 cm consistent with megacolon were observed. She was treated with oralvancomycin for pseudomembranous colitis and intravenous hydrocortisone forsevere colitis, which led to the resolution of megacolon. Due to the persistentsevere colitis symptoms, infliximab 5 mg/kg was prescribed, monitored by drugtrough level (8.8 μg/mL) and fecal calprotectin of 921 μg/g (< 30 μg/g). Based onthe low infliximab trough level after one week from the first infliximab dose, thepatient received a second infusion at week 1, consistent with the acceleratedregimen (infusions at weeks 0, 1, 2 and 6). We achieved a positive clinical andendoscopic response after 6 mo of therapy, without the need for a colectomy.CONCLUSIONInfliximab accelerated infusions can be beneficial in ASUC unresponsive to thetreatment with intravenous corticosteroids. Longitudinal studies are necessary todefine the best therapeutic drug monitoring and treatment regimen for thesepatients.
