Pneumonia due to Cryptococcus neoformans in a patient receiving infliximab: possible zoonotic transmission from a pet cockatiel.

The use of humanized antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) may increase the risk of various opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis and fungal infections. We report a case of cryptococcal pneumonia in a patient who was taking infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. A tempora...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory Care Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. 606 - 609
Main Authors: Shrestha RK, Stoller JK, Honari G, Procop GW, Gordon SM
Format: case study diagnostic images pictorial Journal Article
Published: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2004 Jun
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:The use of humanized antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) may increase the risk of various opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis and fungal infections. We report a case of cryptococcal pneumonia in a patient who was taking infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. A temporally related exposure history raised the possibility that our patient acquired the infection from his pet cockatiel. It seems prudent to advise patients receiving infliximab to avoid exposure to pet avian excreta.