Case Report
Infliximab-Associated Reversible Cholestatic Liver Disease

https://doi.org/10.4065/76.1.84Get rights and content

Infliximab, a novel therapy for Crohn disease, has been shown to be both safe and effective. We describe a 44-year-old woman with Crohn disease who developed jaundice after an infusion of infliximab. Multiple investigations were undertaken, cholestatic liver disease was diagnosed, and her condition improved with supportive therapy. Although likely a rare adverse event, cholestatic liver injury should be considered in patients presenting with jaundice who have received infliximab therapy.

Section snippets

REPORT OF A CASE

A 44-year-old woman with a history of Crohn disease presented to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, with jaundice. Since her diagnosis 11 years prior to admission, her Crohn disease had been limited to her colon and perianal area, including fistulous disease. After a flare 7 years previously, she had been maintained on a regimen of mesalamine, mercaptopurine, and prednisone. Her doses of the mercaptopurine and prednisone had been unchanged for many years. In an effort to reduce her steroid dose

DISCUSSION

Infliximab is a genetically constructed IgG1 human-murine chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds TNF-α, inhibiting the binding of TNF-α with its receptors.5 This drug has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas in Crohn disease1 and is also indicated in patients with moderate to severe disease refractory to conventional treatment.3, 6

Many gastrointestinal tract adverse effects have been reported with the use of this drug, including nausea, vomiting, and

REFERENCES (10)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text
Copyright © 2001 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.