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Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
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Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases

Published on: March 1, 2024

Cavitating pneumonia after treatment with infliximab and prednisone

S M Arend1, E J Kuijper, C F Allaart

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases C5P-39, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. s.m.arend@lumc.nl

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|July 28, 2004
PubMed

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonists constitute a novel class of immunomodulating drugs that are used for the treatment of an increasing number of inflammatory disorders. These agents are associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis, but the risk of other infections is less clear. Reported here is the case of a patient who developed cavitary pneumonia after treatment with infliximab (monoclonal TNF-alpha antibodies) and corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Cryptococcus neoformans was the only pathogen isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The patient responded well to fluconazole. The risk of infection after treatment with TNF-alpha antagonists and the possible causative microorganisms are discussed.

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