Case Reports
Visceral leishmaniasis infection in a rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with infliximab
S. Fabre, C. Gibert, C. Lechiche, J. Dereure, C. Jorgensen, J. Sany
CER2692
2005 Vol.23, N°6
PI 0891, PF 0892
Case Reports
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PMID: 16396712 [PubMed]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Anti-TNFα strategies can result in significant clinical benefits in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but with an increased rate of opportunistic infections. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe disease that can develop in immunocompromised hosts, principally in HIV patients. VL in RA patients treated with TNFα antagonists is an extremely rare event, and only one case has been described. Here we report a case of VL, occurring after 9 infusions of infliximab in association with azathioprine, in a patient who developed blood cytopenia, fluctuant fever, and splenomegaly.
