A case of cellulitis causing tissue defect during etanercept therapy

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists are employed increasingly during recent years in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who do not respond to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Contraindications such as infections, auto-antibody formation and hypersensitive reactions can be observed during the treatment with TNF-α antagonist drugs. Our case was a 52-year-old woman, followed by several centers for a period of 21 years with a seropositive, erosive and nodular RA diagnosis. Anti TNF-α treatment was commenced due to the failure to control the disease. During the treatment, a serious cellulite developed, which required hospitalization and surgical debridement as well as intravenous antibiotics treatment. Through the present case, we aimed to draw attention to the skin infection during the use of etanercept in a patient with RA.

Treatment interruption of biological drugs and tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of case reports

“…She stopped IFX and started ETA. After 19 months, she developed cellulitis in the arm and discontinued ETA (Deniz et al, 2012). A woman developed severe angioedema after the second IFX administration and stopped treatment.…”

Postoperative Eyelid Infection in a Patient Taking Etanercept

“…While the emphasis is on tuberculosis, bacterial, viral, fungal (in most cases patients were on concomitant steroids) and opportunistic infections including severe (non-postoperative) cellulitis have been reported. [4][5][6][7] There is one case report of chronic periorbital lymphedema in a patient taking etanercept and prednisone 2 months following a facial infection with Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. 8 We routinely use a steroid/antibiotic ophthalmic ointment combination for infectious prophylaxis and to minimize postoperative scarring.…”