Severe anaphylactic reaction to infliximab: successful treatment with adalimumab - report of a case.

Abstract

Treatment with the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha chimeric monoclonal antibody infliximab is highly effective in the treatment of refractory and fistulising Crohn's disease. Infliximab has been tolerated well, with minimal and short-lived adverse effects. The likelihood of severe reactions to infliximab, such as acute and delayed hypersensitivity infusion reactions, is small; nevertheless, if they do occur, they are life-threatening. We report a case of an anaphylaxis-like reaction in a 22-year-old female with long-standing Crohn's disease. The patient was treated successfully with adalimumab, a fully human anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody. Follow-up demonstrated mucosal healing and normalisation of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine transcripts.

• Authors: Andreas Stallmach, Thomas Giese, Carsten Schmidt, Stefan C Meuer, Stefan S Zeuzem
• Journal: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 16 Issue 6 Pg. 627-30 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 0954-691X [Print] England
• PMID: 15167167 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Infliximab
• Adalimumab

Topics

• Adalimumab
• Adult
• Anaphylaxis (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Crohn Disease (drug therapy)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Infliximab