Pneumocystis jiroveci (Carinii) pneumonia following initiation of infliximab and azathioprine therapy in a patient with Crohn's disease

Abstract

Anti-TNFα therapy is an effective treatment of Crohn's disease. There is an increased risk of infection, including atypical infection associated in infliximab treated patients. We report a case of a young man who developed Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia shortly after starting therapy with infliximab. Thus, although rare, prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia might be considered when starting a treatment with infliximab, especially in patients receiving concomitant immunosuppressive agents. Copyright © 2004 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.