First fatal case of systemic suppurative/necrotizing granulomatous disease following etanercept therapy for psoriasis

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of granulomas, whereas TNF inhibition leads to downregulation of adhesion molecules and decrease in circulating inflammatory cytokines. TNF inhibitor therapy has been associated with reactivation of infections with diminished granuloma formation and development of sarcoidosis-like granulomas in different organs, with no known reports of mortality. We describe the first fatal case of systemic suppurative granulomatous disease in a 41-year-old man following etanercept therapy for severe cutaneous psoriasis and deforming psoriatic arthritis. We describe the clinical course with macroscopic and microscopic findings at autopsy and a review of the relevant literature. Practicing physicians should be aware of the first fatality associated with systemic suppurative granulomatous disease following etanercept therapy.

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• autopsy
• etanercept
• granulomatous inflammation
• psoriasis

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.