Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with crohn disease: effect of TNF-alpha blockade with infliximab.

Abstract

Eight patients with pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn disease were treated with infliximab. All had active mucosal inflammation indicated by endoscopic examination. Within 1-4 months, infliximab treatment resulted in complete healing of the pyoderma gangrenosum in 3 cases (1 parastomal, 2 lower limb), partial healing in 3 (2 parastomal, 1 lower limb) and temporary improvement in 2. Adverse effects such as skin rash, pneumonia and diarrhoea were seen in three patients. Our results imply that infliximab has a therapeutic potential on skin manifestations associated with inflammatory bowel disease, even though successful treatment may require repeat courses of infliximab infusions.

• Authors: T Ljung, M Staun, O Grove, O Fausa, M H Vatn, P M Hellström
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology (Scand J Gastroenterol) Vol. 37 Issue 9 Pg. 1108-10 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0036-5521 [Print] England
• PMID: 12374238 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Infliximab

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Crohn Disease (complications, drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Infliximab
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pyoderma Gangrenosum (drug therapy, etiology)
• Skin (pathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Wound Healing