Effective Etanercept Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis Complicating Concomitant Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infection

GARIFALLIA LINARDAKI, OLGA KATSAROU, PANAGIOTA IOANNIDOU, ANASTASIA KARAFOULIDOU, and KYRIAKI BOKI

ABSTRACT.

High levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and all stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. TNF-a may have a role in both the pathogenesis and the response to treatment of these chronic viral diseases. We describe a 42-year-old HIV/HCV coinfected hemophiliac man who developed psoriasis and severe psoriatic arthritis not responding to combination treatment with methotrexate and cyclosporin A. Treatment with etanercept 25 mg twice weekly was followed by remission of the joint inflammation and improvement of the exanthem. This is the first report of anti-TNF-a treatment for rheumatic complications in a patient with both HIV and HCV infection. (J Rheumatol 2007;34:1353-5)

Key Indexing Terms:

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
HEPATITIS C VIRUS
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
ETANERCEPT
THERAPY

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From the Rheumatology Department, Sismanoglio Hospital, and Second Blood Transfusion and Hemophilia Center, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

G. Linardaki, MD, Registrar, Internal Medicine; K. Boki, MD, Director, Rheumatology Department; O. Katsarou, MD, Registrar, Hematology; P. Ioannidou, MD, Registrar, Hematology; A. Karafoulidou, MD, Director, Second Blood Transfusion and Hemophilia Center.

Address reprint requests to Dr. G. Linardaki, 4 Lignadi St., N. Smyrni, Athens 171 21, Greece. E-mail: garrylin11@yahoo.gr

Accepted for publication February 7, 2007.

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