Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a patient on etanercept for psoriatic arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a rare form of pneumonia associated with immune-suppression. It is common in patients with AIDS and with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm(3). We report a case of PCP secondary to immune-suppression in a 41-year-old man with psoriatic arthritis being treated with the immune-modulatory agent etanercept.


METHODS
Diagnosis of PCP was made histologically using tissue obtained via transbronchial biopsy.


RESULTS
There was a good response to standard treatment with high-dose co-trimoxazole.


CONCLUSIONS
This report highlights a recognised but previously unreported complication of etanercept.
Lahiff
C
C
Department of Medicine, St. Columcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland. conorlahiff@yahoo.com
Khiaron
O B
OB
Nolan
N
N
Chadwick
G A
GA
D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D000068800:Etanercept; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D000068800:Etanercept