[Treatment of Crohn's disease by infliximab. About 20 cases]

Abstract

Background: Infliximab has been an effective chimerical monoclonal antibody in Crohn's disease. Infliximab is available in Tunisia for a few years.

Aims: To determine the results of the treatment of Crohn's disease by infliximab.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study relating to all the Crohn's disease patients and treated by infliximab. For all the patients, we specified the indication of the treatment, the result of the induction treatment, the recourse or not to a sequential treatment and the adverse effects of the treatment.

Results: Our study related to 20 patients. It was in the majority of the cases an anoperineal and fistulizing form (15 case). Good response to the induction treatment was noted in 15 patients (75%). A sequential treatment by infliximab was undertaken among seven patients, with good results in the short and medium term. A case of death related to the treatment was noted in our series, as mortal milliary tuberculosis appeared under treatment.

Conclusion: Infliximab must be reserved for particular situations of the Crohn's disease. The pre-therapeutic assessment must be complete and the monitoring of the patients must be strict, while insisting on the possibility of reactivation of latent tuberculosis in Tunisia.