Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with crohn disease: effect of TNF-alpha blockade with infliximab

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Sep;37(9):1108-10. doi: 10.1080/003655202320378338.

Abstract

Eight patients with pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn disease were treated with infliximab. All had active mucosal inflammation indicated by endoscopic examination. Within 1-4 months, infliximab treatment resulted in complete healing of the pyoderma gangrenosum in 3 cases (1 parastomal, 2 lower limb), partial healing in 3 (2 parastomal, 1 lower limb) and temporary improvement in 2. Adverse effects such as skin rash, pneumonia and diarrhoea were seen in three patients. Our results imply that infliximab has a therapeutic potential on skin manifestations associated with inflammatory bowel disease, even though successful treatment may require repeat courses of infliximab infusions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy*
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / etiology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab