The effect of infliximab therapy on maculopathy in Behcet's panuveitis: A case report

Abstract

Aim: To report a case of Behcet's panuveitis and unilateral inflammatory maculopathy which was refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy but responded well to long-term treatment with the tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor infliximab. Methods: Reporting the effect of intravenous infliximab infusion therapy for 54 weeks in a case of Behcet's panuveitis and unilateral inflammatory maculopathy. The patient's best corrected visual acuity was monitored, and biomicroscopic and fundus examinations as well as macular thickness map analysis by stratus optical coherence tomography were performed. Results: The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye improved after the resolution of inflammatory signs on biomicroscopic and fundus examinations as well as on stratus optical coherence tomography macular thickness analysis reports. No significant systemic side effects were noted. Conclusions: Long-term therapy with infliximab is effective and safe for refractory inflammatory maculopathy in Behcet's disease. We report this case to contribute to the few previously reported cases showing the beneficial effect of long-term infliximab therapy for Behcet's panuveitis. In conclusion, early initiation of infliximab therapy for inflammatory maculopathy in Behcet's disease preserves and improves visual acuity. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG.