title: Successful long-term use of infliximab in refractory pouchitis in an adolescent.
abstract: Pouchitis is a common complication that develops after an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis after colectomy for ulcerative colitis. In some cases, pouchitis becomes chronic and refractory to conventional therapies including antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. We report a case of an adolescent with chronic pouchitis who not only improved with infliximab therapy but remains in long-term remission with maintenance therapy without any adverse effects. Infliximab is a safe and effective therapy for refractory pouchitis and may obviate the need for pouch removal and a permanent ileostomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, 5850 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada B3K 6R8.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yeates
authors.forename: Mohsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashid