Importance of tuberculosis screening before inhibiting tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy

Abstract

Introduction

There has been an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis infection in recent years, due to the increasing use of drugs inhibiting tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFα) in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Case report

We report the case of a male patient being treated with infliximab (anti-TNFα) who developed disseminated tuberculosis with ocular involvement.

Conclusion

It is very important to conduct a proper screening to detect patients at risk for tuberculosis before starting treatment with these drugs. For this purpose, the QuantiFERON^®-TB Gold in Tube (Interferon Gamma Release Assay, IGRA) is presented as an alternative screening test with high sensitivity and specificity.

Resumen

Introducción

En los últimos años se ha registrado un aumento en la incidencia de infección tuberculosa, debido a la utilización cada vez mayor de fármacos inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (anti-TNFα) en el tratamiento de enfermedades inflamatorias.

Caso clínico

Se describe el caso de un varón en tratamiento con infliximab (anti-TNFα) que desarrolla tuberculosis diseminada con afectación ocular.

Conclusión

Es de gran importancia la realización de un screening apropiado para detectar pacientes con riesgo de desarrollar tuberculosis antes de iniciar tratamiento con dichos fármacos. Con este propósito, el QuantiFERON^®-TB Gold in Tube (Interferon Gamma Release Assay, IGRA) se presenta como una alternativa de alta sensibilidad y especificidad.