Perforating folliculitis associated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors administered for rheumatoid arthritis

Br J Dermatol. 2007 Feb;156(2):368-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07598.x.

Abstract

Perforating dermatoses are characterized by transepithelial elimination of dermal structures. We report a 61-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis who developed a perforating folliculitis following the administration of two tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors, infliximab and etanercept. To our knowledge, no perforating disorders have been reported associated with these drugs. This report suggests, for the first time, a role for TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of perforating folliculitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Etanercept
  • Folliculitis / chemically induced*
  • Folliculitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects*
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Etanercept