Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

Orbital cellulitis in a patient receiving infliximab for Ankylosing spondylitis.

Roos JC, Ostor AJ

Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. jcpr2@cam.ac.uk

PURPOSE: To describe a case of orbital cellulitis arising in a patient treated with an anti-TNFalpha agent. DESIGN: Single interventional case report. METHODS: A 42-year-old man developed severe unilateral orbital cellulitis while receiving infliximab (Remicade, Centocor) treatment for Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as part of the open-label phase of a trial conducted at our tertiary referral center. Cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS: Infliximab treatment was stopped and the patient made a full recovery after receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy. Infliximab therapy was resumed after three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical vigilance is warranted when treating patients with anti-TNFalpha agents as these are associated with a diverse and growing number of ophthalmic complications. Resolved infection does not preclude the use of such agents.

Published 27 March 2006 in Am J Ophthalmol, 141(4): 767-9.
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