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Infliximab in the treatment of refractory posterior uveitis.

AbstractPURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of infliximab in the treatment of refractory posterior uveitis. DESIGN: Noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five patients with posterior uveitis were treated: 3 had Behçet's syndrome, and 2 had idiopathic posterior uveitis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with sight-threatening uveitis refractory to other immunosuppressive agents were treated with infliximab. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular inflammation, by using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score, retinal vasculitis, and visual acuity. Adverse effects of infliximab were documented. RESULTS: Within 2 weeks of the first infusion of infliximab, 4 of 5 patients showed marked improvement in vitreous haze and visual acuity. By the 6-month follow-up, the same four patients had achieved remission of posterior uveitis and had successfully withdrawn all other immunosuppressive therapy. Further infusions of infliximab were required in 3 patients. One patient developed ocular and systemic tuberculosis, which responded to antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab is effective in the treatment of sight-threatening refractory posterior uveitis. However, patients should be thoroughly screened for tuberculosis before treatment and followed up closely during and after therapy with infliximab.
AuthorsAnnie Joseph, Dev Raj, Harminder S Dua, Pauline T Powell, Peter C Lanyon, Richard J Powell (Affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, B Floor, Eye and ENT Block, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.)
JournalOphthalmology (Ophthalmology) Vol. 110 Issue 7 Pg. 1449-53 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0161-6420 United States
PMID12867408 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • infliximab
Topics
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
  • Chronic Disease
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Safety
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (immunology)
  • Uveitis, Posterior (drug therapy)