Sarcoid-related uveitis occurring during adalimumab therapy

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2012 Feb;20(1):59-60. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2011.623213. Epub 2011 Oct 21.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the first case of sarcoid-related uveitis in a patient receiving adalimumab.

Design: Case report.

Methods: A 61-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab for 4 years presented with a 1-year history of bilateral panuveitis with venous vasculitis and peripheral multifocal choroiditis. A small papular lesion was found on her forehead, which upon biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas. No systemic involvement was observed.

Results: An ophtalmological and clinical improvement was seen after (TNF) antagonist withdrawal plus a course of prednisone.

Conclusions: Ophthalmologists should know that a sarcoid-like granulomatosis can develop during TNFα blockade therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Sarcoidosis / chemically induced*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Uveitis, Posterior / chemically induced*
  • Uveitis, Posterior / diagnosis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Adalimumab