J Rheum Dis.  2011 Sep;18(3):216-219. 10.4078/jrd.2011.18.3.216.

A Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in a Patient with Psoriatic Arthritis Treated with Adalimumab

• Lee SN
• Min JK
• Hur J
• Kim DH
• Kim YH
• Kwon SS
• Lee H

• KMID: 2223154
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2011.18.3.216

Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease triggered and maintained by inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Although TNF-alpha antagonist is effective for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, infections caused by tuberculosis or fungus have emerged as significant complications of therapy. We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with psoriatic arthritis treated with adalimumab.

Keyword

Psoriatic arthritis; Pulmonary cryptococcus; Adalimumab

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Arthritis, Psoriatic
Cryptococcosis
Fungi
Humans
Tuberculosis
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Adalimumab
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Figure

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  Figure 1. (A) Nodular opacity was noted in left lower lung at the time of admission. (B) Chest CT revealed the consolidations in left lower lung.

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  Figure 2. (A) Microscopically, chronic granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells are noted (×100). (B) Microscopic appearance of cryptococcosis in methenamine silver stain. The 5∼10 μm cryptococcal yeast has a highly characteristic thick capsule (×1,000).

Reference

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