title: Recurrent infections in a rheumatoid arthritis patient with a primary immunodeficiency, treated with conventional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.
abstract: A 64-year-old woman with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis suffered from recurrent severe infections after treatment with both synthetic and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). She was found to have mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency. MBL deficiency is associated with increased risk of infections, in particular in individuals treated with immunomodulating drugs. Patients with a history of recurrent infections in childhood, and severe infections after treatment with synthetic or biologic DMARDs, should be tested for MBL deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Sørlandet Hospital, Service box 416, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway. andreas.diamantopoulos@sshf.no
authors.forename: Andreas P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Diamantopoulos
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haugeberg
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000075202:Contraindications; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors