Case Report

Successful Treatment of Long-standing Neuro-Behçet's Disease with Infliximab

HAROON SARWAR, HUGH McGRATH Jr, and LUIS R. ESPINOZA

ABSTRACT.

Behçet's disease is a chronic relapsing form of vasculitis affecting multiple organs. Central nervous system involvement is a common presentation. Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) is considered to play a major role in the disease pathogenesis. We describe a patient with a long history of neuro-Behçet's disease who showed a remarkable response to infliximab therapy. Given the variable and limited success of other interventions, the use of anti-TNF-a therapy seems to be effective for patients with refractory disease. (J Rheumatol 2005;32:181-3)

Key Indexing Terms:

BEHÇET'S DISEASE
INFLIXIMAB
VASCULITIS
TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-a
CYTOKINES

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From the Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

H. Sarwar, MD, Clinical Rheumatology Fellow; H. McGrath Jr, MD, Professor of Medicine; L.R. Espinoza, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Rheumatology.

Address reprint requests to Dr. L.R. Espinoza, Section of Rheumatology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Ave., Box T4M-4, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. E-mail: lespin1@lsuhsc.edu

Submitted April 1, 2004; revision accepted August 11, 2004.

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