[Fatal miliary tuberculosis during treatment with infliximab].
A 73-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with fever whilst under treatment with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. Despite repeated and specific testing, tuberculosis was only diagnosed post mortem. During infliximab therapy, latent tuberculosis can reactivate in subacute form with a possible fatal outcome. For infliximab therapy to be administered safely, the risk that the patient concerned is latently infected with tuberculosis has to be estimated beforehand; if necessary a prophylactic anti-tuberculosis treatment may be given.
Vonkeman
H E
HE
Afd. Reumatologie, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Postbus 50.000, 7500 KA Enschede.
van der Valk
P D L P M
PD
Mulder
L
L
van de Laar
M A F J
MA
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000209:etiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab