Multiple Streptococcal Brain Abscesses in a Patient Taking Secukinumab

Abstract

The approval of the IL-17A inhibitor Secukinumab (Cosentyx; Novartis International, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) was a major advance in psoriasis treatment, with most patients experiencing a 75% reduction in severity1. Known side effects include an increase in minor infections, but no major infectious adverse events and no nervous system involvement1–4, leading to broad use and an increase in clinical trials targeting the IL-17 pathway. Here, we describe a patient on Secukinumab who presented with severe neurologic deficits due to multifocal brain lesions. These were found to be disseminated streptococcal infection, and resolved after antibiotic treatment.

Application of magnetic resonance imaging technology in the diagnosis of brain diseases

“…This disease needs to be treated promptly to avoid serious consequences. In 2021, Anjali et al [16] reported that brain abscesses appeared as high signal on DWI. The pus cavity of a brain abscess contains a viscous fluid consisting of a large number of inflammatory cells, necrotic tissue, bacteria, protein secretions, and other substances, which brings about a high viscosity inside the pus cavity.…”