J Rheum Dis.  2011 Dec;18(4):320-323. 10.4078/jrd.2011.18.4.320.

Tuberculous Peritonitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Infliximab

• Kim IT
• Park HB
• Lee SH
• Hyun YK
• Kim YJ
• Lee YW
• Song JS
• Choi ST

• KMID: 2223139
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2011.18.4.320

Abstract

One of the severe adverse reactions to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy is the reactivation of tuberculosis. We present a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a 57-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that appeared during treatment with infliximab. Confirming a diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis is difficult and can be delayed because of the nonspecific symptoms, the rarity of the disease and the low detection rate of mycobacteria in ascites fluid. This case illustrates that prompt anti-tuberculous therapy is needed for suspected cases of tuberculous peritonitis in RA patients treated with infliximab.

Keyword

Infliximab; Tuberculous peritonitis; Anti-TNF therapy; Rheumatoid arthritis

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Ascites
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Necrosis
Peritonitis, Tuberculous
Tuberculosis
Infliximab
Antibodies, Monoclonal

Figure

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  Figure 1. Computed tomographic finding. Omental and mesenteric fat infiltration with some nodular densities (arrows) and ascites (arrow head) were seen.

Reference

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