New onset of uveitis during infliximab treatment: A case report

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Published Feb 11, 2024
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v102i1.4564
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Vol. 102 No. 1 (2024): Tunis med jan 2024

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Mejda Bouladi
Departmant of Ophthalmology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia
Amal Ben Othmen
Departmant of Ophthalmology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia
Saoussen Miladi
Department of Rhumatology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia
Merieme Kalou
Departmant of Ophthalmology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia
Ahmed Laatar
Department of Rhumatology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia
Lamia El Fekih
Departmant of Ophthalmology, Mongi Slim University Hospital, La Marsa, Tunis,Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNF α) agents are an effective treatment for a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In ophthalmology anti-TNF α began to emerge as a possible therapy for non-infectious uveitis, paradoxically their administration may result in the onset or recurrence of inflammatory eye disease such as uveitis.  We reported a case of new onset of bilateral anterior and intermediate uveitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) while being treated with infliximab and we performed a review of literature.


Observation : A 25-year-old female with RA under infliximab, presented with bilateral blurred vision. Anterior segment examination demonstrated retrodescmetic fine precipates, 1+ cells in the anterior chamber on both eyes. The fundus examination was difficult because of the vitritis. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated mild optic disc edema, and bilateral diffuse peripheral fern leaf cappilaritis. Optical coherence tomography showed severe cystoid macular edema bilaterally. The diagnosis of bilateral anterior and intermediate uveitis caused by infliximab was retained after exclusion of infectious and autoimmune aetiologies. She was treated with corticosteroid with good visual outcome.


Conclusion : In our case, new onset of uveitis may be considered as paradoxical effect of anti-TNF α therapy. Rheumatologists and ophthalmologists should be aware of this effect. Careful monitoring of patients under infliximab is necessary for appropriate diagnosis and early treatment.

Keywords:

case report, paradoxical effects, tumor necrosis factor-alpha

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