Listeria Meningitis Complicating Infliximab Treatment for Crohn’s Disease

Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor-alpha, is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease. Though uncommon, serious opportunistic infections, including reactivation of tuberculosis, have occurred in patients after infliximab administration. Meningitis caused b...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Geoffrey Williams, Asad A Khan, Franzjosef Schweiger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2005-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2005/814698
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Summary:Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor-alpha, is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease. Though uncommon, serious opportunistic infections, including reactivation of tuberculosis, have occurred in patients after infliximab administration. Meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes developed in a 37-year-old man six days after the second infusion of infliximab. The patient, who also was treated with azathioprine and corticosteroids, had an uneventful recovery after a course of antibiotics. Several other recent reports have implicated infliximab therapy in the development of severe Listeria infections, particularly meningitis and sepsis. With the increasing use of tumour necrosis factor-alpha-neutralizing agents, clinicians should be aware of the risk of opportunistic infections caused by L monocytogenes in patients with Crohn's disease following infliximab treatment.
ISSN:1712-9532