Atypical infectious mononucleosis in a patient receiving tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitory treatment

Rheumatol Int. 2009 May;29(7):825-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0775-5. Epub 2008 Nov 26.

Abstract

The objective is to report a case of atypical acute infectious mononucleosis in a juvenile ankylosing spondylitis patient who was treated with infliximab. A 20-year-old man was hospitalized for the evaluation of lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms. His symptoms developed at the eighth week of the infliximab treatment and he required hospitalization. Lymph node biopsy was performed and he was diagnosed as atypical infectious mononucleosis (absence of fever, pharyngitis, lymphocytosis and negative atypical lymphocytosis on blood smear). Infections have become major concerns in patients treated with TNF-blocking agents. In theoretical base, it is not surprising as TNF-alpha has a crucial role in the body's defense against both bacterial and viral invasion. Blocking the action of TNF may also change the course of the disease and could lead to a delay in the diagnosis. TNF-alpha-blocking treatment may mask the typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis and atypical cases should be included in the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha agents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / chemically induced*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / immunology*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / virology
  • Infliximab
  • Lymphatic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / virology
  • Male
  • Opportunistic Infections / chemically induced
  • Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Opportunistic Infections / virology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / deficiency
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab