Anti-TNFα induced lupus due to infliximab therapy in a patient with concurrent Crohn's disease

Anti-TNFα inhibitor-induced Lupus (ATIL) is a rare syndrome characterized by a wide array of symptoms ranging from skin manifestations to organ-specific symptoms such as pleural effusions, pericardial effusions, hepatotoxicity, etc. Infliximab is implicated in most cases, and ATIL usually develops between the first month and 4 years of infliximab application. In this report, we present an interesting case of ATIL that developed rather gradually upon anti-TNFa used to treat Crohn's disease. The patient presented with oral ulcers, photosensitive rash, diffuse alopecia, inflammation of the hands, and pleuritic chest pain. Comprehensive serological testing revealed the presence of antinuclear antibodies and anti-DNA antibodies. During the evaluation, the patient developed headaches, followed by a brain MRI that suggested nonspecific white matter lesions. Given the chronic development of symptoms, invasive examinations such as an arteriogram were performed to exclude CNS vasculitis, which showed no evidence of the vasculitis. Therefore, in the absence of any clear radiographical signs of vasculitis, patients should not undergo invasive studies, including an angiogram. The CNS angiogram can be associated with several side effects, including damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, and infection, which can further aggravate ATIL. Although rare, ATIL should always be considered while evaluating a patient with suggestive symptoms on infliximab therapy. Further research on identifying the variety of clinical presentations of ATIL and the underlying pathophysiology can help improve health policy and clinical practice by reducing unnecessary examination and allowing early management and better-quality care.