The use of TNF- α antagonists in tuberculosis to control severe paradoxical reaction or immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: a case series and literature review

We report four cases of severe PR or IRIS during tuberculosis treatment who required TNF- α antagonists, and identified 20 additional cases through literature review. They were 14 women and 10 men, with a median age of 36 years (interquartile range, 28–52). Twelve were immunocompromised before tuberculosis: untreated HIV infection (n=6), or immunosuppressive treatment (TNF- α antagonists,n=5; tacrolimus,n=1). Tuberculosis was mostly neuromeningeal (n=15), pulmonary (n=10), lymph node (n=6), and miliary (n=6), multi-susceptible in 23 cases. PR or IRIS started after a median time of 6 weeks (IQR, 4 –9) following anti-tuberculosis treatment start, and consisted primarily of tuberculomas (n=11), cerebral vasculitis (n=8), and lymphadenitis (n=6). First-line treatment of PR or IRIS was high-dose corticosteroids in 23 cases. TNF- α antagonists were used as salvage treatment in all cases, with infliximab (n=17), thalidomide (n=6), and adalimumab (n=3). All patients improved, but 6 had neurological sequelae, and 4 had TNF- α antagonist-related severe adverse events. TNF-α antagonists are safe and effective as salvage or corticosteroid-sparing therapeutic for severe PR or IRIS during tuberculosis treatment.
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research