[Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes as a complication of infliximab therapy].
A 41-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Because of her Crohn's disease she used prednisolone and azathioprine. Two weeks before presenting with meningitis, infliximab had been given as the other immunosuppressant drugs had no effect. This tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) blocking agent is known to increase the risk of opportunistic infections. This is the first Dutch patient described with meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes after treatment with infliximab. She recovered after antibiotic therapy. When antibiotic treatment is chosen, the possibility of opportunistic infections in patients who use infliximab concurrently with other immunosuppressant drugs should be taken into account.
Joosten
A A
AA
Afd. Neurologie, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Postbus 50.000, 7500 KA Enschede.
van Olffen
G H
GH
Hageman
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development; D008584:Meningitis, Listeria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab