title: [Infliximab is effective in difficult-to-control peripheral ulcerative keratitis. A report of three cases].
abstract: Peripheral ulcerative keratitis is caused by an inflammatory and destructive process of the perilimbal peripheral cornea. This inflammation is due to immune complex deposition in this region of the cornea and in adjacent vessels. It can be idiopathic, or a manifestation of systemic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis of small vessels associated with ANCA, relapsing polychondritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Crohn's disease. Its treatment includes the use of high-dose corticosteroids and, in some cases, the concomitant use of immunosuppressants such as methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide or cyclosporine. The use of immunobiological agents can be a strategy in cases of difficult control. The authors describe the treatment of three patients who, after failure with the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, showed good response after the use of infliximab.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Flávia Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Zandavalli
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Glaucio Ricardo Werner
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maiara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzucco
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Eduarda Carvalho Wagnes
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Stöfler
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. Electronic address: ivanioreumato@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ivânio Alves
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000069285:Infliximab
keywords: Anticorpo monoclonal; Ceratite; Corneal ulcer; Keratitis; Monoclonal antibody; Úlcera de córnea