title: Listeria meningitis complicating infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease.
abstract: Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor-alpha, is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease. Though uncommon, serious opportunistic infections, including reactivation of tuberculosis, have occurred in patients after infliximab administration.Meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes developed in a 37-year-old man six days after the second infusion of infliximab. The patient, who also was treated with azathioprine and corticosteroids, had an uneventful recovery after a course of antibiotics. Several other recent reports have implicated infliximab therapy in the development of severe Listeria infections, particularly meningitis and sepsis. With the increasing use of tumour necrosis factor-alpha-neutralizing agents, clinicians should be aware of the risk of opportunistic infections caused by L monocytogenes in patients with Crohn's disease following infliximab treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, South-East Health Care Authority, The Moncton Hospital, Moncton, New Brunswick.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Asad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Franzjosef
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schweiger