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Cryptococcal meningitis associated with interleukin-17 inhibitor use for psoriasis

Joseph Driver1, Marcus Zaayman2, Annika Silfvast-Kaiser3

  • 1College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Dermatologic Therapy
|May 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections are a rare risk of biologic therapy. This case highlights cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient on ixekizumab for psoriasis, emphasizing IL-17

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Biologic therapies, particularly those targeting interleukin-17 (IL-17), are effective for severe plaque psoriasis.
  • While generally safe, invasive fungal infections are a rare but serious potential complication of immunosuppressive biologic treatments.

Observation:

  • A case of cryptococcal meningitis is presented in an otherwise immunocompetent patient undergoing treatment with ixekizumab for severe plaque psoriasis.
  • This patient experienced a severe fungal infection despite no apparent underlying immunodeficiency.

Findings:

  • This report details the first known instance of cryptococcal meningitis associated with ixekizumab therapy.
  • The case underscores the potential for invasive fungal infections even in patients considered immunocompetent.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should maintain vigilance for invasive fungal infections in patients receiving IL-17 inhibitors like ixekizumab.
  • Understanding the immunologic role of IL-17 is crucial for managing risks associated with biologic therapies and therapy transitions.
Keywords:
IL-17cryptococcal meningitisixekizumabpsoriasis

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