Mycobacterial hand infections occurring postoperatively in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors for inflammatory arthritis: report of three cases.

Bauer, Andrea S; Blazar, Philip E; Earp, Brandon E; Simmons, Barry P · J Hand Surg Am · 2010

case_series · Level IV

Where this comes from

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors are potent anti-rheumatic drugs, but there is evidence that the high level of immunosuppression they provide may also lead to a higher risk of infections. At our institution, 3 patients with inflammatory arthritis treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors developed mycobacterial soft tissue infections after routine hand surgery. All 3 patients required multiple surgical procedures, inpatient hospitalizations, and prolonged antibiotic multidrug therapy to clear the infections.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy