Severe gram positive bacterial infection in an ulcerative colitis patient treated with Infliximab

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors represent an important treatment advance for a number of inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease. Since their introduction in 1999, it has become clear that some biological therapies may be associated with an increased risk for bacterial infections.

Herein we present the first case of septic arthritis and spine empyema, caused by S. aureus, in a 63year-old patient with ulcerative colitis, who was under treatment with Infliximab and with 40mg per day of prednisolone.