[Infliximab in the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease: preliminary report].
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and 1 have a pathogenic role in Crohn's disease. Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor, is useful in the treatment of Crohn's disease, specially when the disease is active and associated to fistula formation.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of Infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Twelve patients with Crohn's disease (aged 16 to 63 years, 10 women) refractory to treatment with steroid, 5-aminosalicylic acid, antimicrobials and immunomodulatory drugs, were studied. A single intravenous 5 mg/kg dose Infliximab was administered. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) was measured before and one week after the administration of the drug.


RESULTS
CDAI before and after Infliximab administration was 357+/-62 and 138+/-122 score points, respectively (p <0.005). According to this score, five patients had a severe and seven a moderate disease flare. The disease remitted in 7 (58%) and a clinical response was observed in 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of Infliximab was effective to induce remission of the disease in 75% of this selected group of patients with Crohn's disease.
Gellona V
José
J
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
Zarraonandia A
Antón
A
Zúñiga D
Alvaro
A
Palma C
Renato
R
Contreras P
Jaime
J
Silva Ch
Jaime
J
González D
Róbinson
R
Quintana V
Carlos
C