Is continuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy a safe option for patients who have developed pulmonary mycobacterial infection? : Case presentation and literature review

Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;31(2):203-10. doi: 10.1007/s10067-011-1902-3. Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Abstract

Continuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) therapy generally has not been recommended for patients who have developed nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases; in daily practice, however, we often encounter patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who experience uncontrollable flares following withdrawal of anti-TNFα agents. Here, we report a case of pulmonary NTM disease caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare occurring in a patient with refractory RA undergoing etanercept therapy. Since there was the concern of an exacerbation of RA symptoms, etanercept was continued during anti-NTM therapy. The patient's pulmonary symptoms and radiological abnormalities were found to have markedly improved in a relatively short time period after beginning the anti-NTM therapy. Additionally, her RA symptoms were adequately controlled without the occurrence of any unexpected adverse events. The continuation of etanercept therapy may be a safe option during anti-NTM therapy if patients' underlying diseases would otherwise be difficult to control. Strictly supervised anti-NTM therapy and patients' informed consent are mandatory. We review the medical literature on NTM disease associated with anti-TNFα therapy for rheumatic diseases and discuss the safety of simultaneous use of anti-TNFα agents in patients during anti-NTM therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / complications*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Etanercept