[Treatment of Crohn's disease by infliximab. About 20 cases].
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.
Serghini
Meriem
M
Service de Gastro-entrérologie A, Hôpital la Rabta, Tunis.
Karoui
Sami
S
Meknini
Mayssoun
M
Matri
Samira
S
Kallel
Lamia
L
Fekih
Monia
M
Boubaker
Jalel
J
Filali
Azza
A
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
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D000069285:Infliximab