Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis after infliximab therapy for sarcoidosis: a potential mechanism related to T-helper cytokine balance

Chest. 2009 May;135(5):1358-1359. doi: 10.1378/chest.08-2106.

Abstract

We report a case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) that occurred in a man receiving infliximab for systemic sarcoidosis. His symptoms associated with ABPA were temporally related to his infliximab infusions. We suspect that infliximab disrupted the T-helper (Th) type 1-Th2 lymphocyte balance such that Th2 cytokines were left relatively unopposed, promoting the development of ABPA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / chemically induced*
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / immunology
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / physiopathology
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Infliximab
  • Prednisone