Difficult diagnosis of Infliximab-related miliary tuberculosis

The use of Infliximab in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid diseases unresponsive to conventional therapies has been reported to be complicated by opportunistic infections. We report the case of a 56-yr old female rheumatoid arthritis patient complaining of fever and respiratory symptoms 9 mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease
Main Authors: S. Contini, G. Raimondi, P. Graziano, C. Saltini, M. Bocchino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2004-06-01
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Online Access:https://www.monaldi-archives.org/index.php/macd/article/view/712
Description
Summary:The use of Infliximab in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid diseases unresponsive to conventional therapies has been reported to be complicated by opportunistic infections. We report the case of a 56-yr old female rheumatoid arthritis patient complaining of fever and respiratory symptoms 9 months after commencing Infliximab, who received no ethiologic diagnosis for the six months before admission. Tuberculosis was suspected upon chest radiographic pictures and empirical treatment for miliary tuberculosis instated in the wake of microbiological confirmation. The case typifies the difficulties of diagnosing miliary tuberculosis in the immunocompromised as well as in the immunocompetent patient.
ISSN:1122-0643
2532-5264