title: [Treatment of Crohn's disease by infliximab. About 20 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infliximab has been an effective chimerical monoclonal antibody in Crohn's disease. Infliximab is available in Tunisia for a few years.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the results of the treatment of Crohn's disease by infliximab.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a retrospective study relating to all the Crohn's disease patients and treated by infliximab. For all the patients, we specified the indication of the treatment, the result of the induction treatment, the recourse or not to a sequential treatment and the adverse effects of the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study related to 20 patients. It was in the majority of the cases an anoperineal and fistulizing form (15 case). Good response to the induction treatment was noted in 15 patients (75%). A sequential treatment by infliximab was undertaken among seven patients, with good results in the short and medium term. A case of death related to the treatment was noted in our series, as mortal milliary tuberculosis appeared under treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab must be reserved for particular situations of the Crohn's disease. The pre-therapeutic assessment must be complete and the monitoring of the patients must be strict, while insisting on the possibility of reactivation of latent tuberculosis in Tunisia.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro-entrérologie A, Hôpital la Rabta, Tunis.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serghini
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karoui
authors.forename: Mayssoun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meknini
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matri
authors.forename: Lamia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kallel
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fekih
authors.forename: Jalel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boubaker
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D000069285:Infliximab