title: Use of infliximab in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Anti-TNF-α agents have emerged as a potent treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis unresponsive to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Increased susceptibility to infections induced by these drugs is the main complication of their use. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most worrisome side effects in patients with HBV infection receiving anti-TNF-α. We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with stable hepatitis B and good response to the antiviral combination of lamivudine and tenofovir when infliximab was started. The patient went into remission. During the 30-month treatment with the biologic, his liver function remained stable, with no HBV reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Nilo Cairo 36/105, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. eloisadoubrawa@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Doubrawa
authors.forename: Renê Augusto de Mattos
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.forename: Tiago Osternack
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Malucelli
authors.forename: Vanessa Irusta Dal
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Pizzol
authors.forename: Danilo Hamilko de
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Eduardo Santos
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Paiva
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab