Mortality as a result of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has declined significantly due to application of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).¹ However, an effect of this therapy is its promotion of immune reconstitution, which leaves patients more vulnerable to developing immune related illnesses, such as Crohn’s disease (CD).^2,3

CD causes an increase in tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) that seems to play a fundamental role in the condition. Thus anti-TNF-α therapies represent a step forward in the management of CD.⁴ Elevated TNF-α levels are also observed during all stages of HIV, and consequently the use of anti-TNF-α agents has been also suggested for HIV patients.⁵ To date, three controlled trials of anti-TNF-α based therapies^6–8 in HIV patients have been reported. Each study registered a …