Shingles following infliximab infusion

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 61; no. 7; p. 661
• Main Authors: Baumgart, D C, Dignass, A U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01-07-2002; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Acyclovir - therapeutic use; adverse reactions; Antibodies, Monoclonal - adverse effects; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Bowel disease; Case studies; Complications and side effects; Crohn Disease - drug therapy; Crohn's disease; Crohns disease; Gastrointestinal Agents - adverse effects; Herpes Zoster - chemically induced; Herpes Zoster - drug therapy; Humans; Infections; Infliximab; Letter; Male; Middle Aged; Prescription drugs; shingles; Shingles (Building materials); Viral infections; Germany
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.61.7.661

DISCUSSION Adult varicella can be a severe illness complicated by pneumonia, encephalitis, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, and prolonged fever. 3 Blood levels of TNFα have been shown to be raised in patients with acute varicella infection. 4 In vitro studies have shown that replication of varicella zoster virus and varicella zoster virus antigen expression are inhibited by TNFα and that this antiviral activity can be completely blocked by monoclonal antibodies against TNFα.