Sarcoid-related uveitis occuring during etanercept therapy

P.J. Hashkes¹, I. Shajrawi²

¹Pediatric Rheumatology Section, Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; ²Department of Pathology, Poria Hospital, Israel.

ABSTRACT
We report the case of a 7-year-old boy who was initially diagnosed as having polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clinical and laboratory features of overt sarcoidosis became evident early during etanercept therapy when he developed acute panuveitis, papular skin rash and elevated levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Non-caseating granulomas were present in the liver. Uveitis resolved upon discontinuation of etanercept and systemic administration of corticosteroids. In rare cases expression of autoimmune disorders or expanded clinical features of these disorders may occur during etanercept treatment.

Key words
Etanercept, sarcoidosis, uveitis, adverse reaction, juvenile arthritis.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Philip Hashkes, MD, Department of Rheumatic Diseases A50, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. 
E-mail: hashkep@ccf.org

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003; 21: 645-646.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2003.