Infliximab-induced nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Am J Med Sci. 2012;344:75-78. [PMID: 22688498 DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31824c07e8]

Lung Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Shared Pathways and Unwanted Connections

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, frequently associated with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that can severely affect IBD patients' quality of life, sometimes even becoming life-threatening. Respiratory diseases have always been considered a rare and subsequently neglected extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that respiratory involvement is frequent in IBD patients, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Airway inflammation is the most common milieu of IBD-related involvement, with bronchiectasis being the most common manifestation. Furthermore, significant differences in prevalence and types of involvement are present between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The same embryological origin of respiratory and gastrointestinal tissue, in addition to exposure to common antigens and cytokine networks, may all play a potential role in the respiratory involvement. Furthermore, other causes such as drug-related toxicity and infections must always be considered. This article aims at reviewing the current evidence on the association between IBD and respiratory diseases. The purpose is to raise awareness of respiratory manifestation among IBD specialists and emphasize the need for identifying respiratory diseases in early stages to promptly treat these conditions, avoid worsening morbidity, and prevent lung damage.

Focus on Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Related Autoimmune Diseases

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents have been increasingly used to treat patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease and dermatological and rheumatologic inflammatory disorders. However, the widening use of biologics is related to a new class of adverse events called paradoxical reactions. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but it is suggested that cytokine remodulation in predisposed individuals can lead to the inflammatory process. Here, we dissect the clinical aspects and overall outcomes of autoimmune diseases caused by anti-TNF-α therapies.

Lophomonas blattarum-like organism in bronchoalveolar lavage from a pneumonia patient: current diagnostic scheme and polymerase chain reaction can lead to false-positive results

Lophomonas blattarum is an anaerobic protozoan living in the intestine of cockroaches and house dust mites, with ultramicroscopic characteristics such as the presence of a parabasal body, axial filament, and absence of mitochondria. More than 200 cases of Lophomonas infection of the respiratory tract have been reported worldwide. However, the current diagnosis of such infection depends only on light microscopic morphological findings from respiratory secretions. In this study, we attempted to provide more robust evidence of protozoal infection in an immunocompromised patient with atypical pneumonia, positive for Lophomonas-like protozoal cell forms. A direct search of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing did not prove the presence of protozoal infection. PCR results were not validated with sufficient rigor, while de novo assembly and taxonomic classification results did not confirm the presence of an unidentified pathogen. The TEM results implied that such protozoal forms in light microscopy are actually non-detached ciliated epithelial cells. After ruling out infectious causes, the patient's final diagnosis was drug-induced pneumonitis. These findings underscore the lack of validation in the previously utilized diagnostic methods, and more evidence in the presence of L. blattarum is required to further prove its pathogenicity.

Guselkumab-Associated Pulmonary Disease and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage with Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

Psoriasis is a common skin condition worldwide. Moderate-to-severe disease is treated with biologic or non-biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These include tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a inhibitors, interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors, and IL-23 inhibitors. Case reports of inhibitors of TNF-a and IL-12p40 subunits causing interstitial pneumonia (IP) have been published in the literature, but no case of anti-IL-23p19 subunit biologics causing IP and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been reported before. We report a case of a patient with restrictive lung disease secondary to a body mass index of 36.54 kg/m², obstructive sleep apnea, and psoriasis, who developed IP and ARDS presumed to be secondary to guselkumab, an anti-IL-23p19 subunit monoclonal antibody. He was on ustekinumab, an anti-IL-12/23p40 for the treatment of psoriasis, but was switched to guselkumab eight months before the presentation, and since then he had been complaining of progressive shortness of breath. He initially presented to the hospital after having drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) after being started on amoxicillin for a tooth infection. He was treated with high-dose intravenous steroids but developed progressive shortness of breath. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were added. An extensive infectious, autoimmune, and hypersensitivity work-up was undertaken, which returned negative. A bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, which revealed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). His lung imaging and oxygenation progressively got worse; hence, no lung biopsy was taken. He was intubated and required inhaled nitric oxide, but due to the lack of improvement, the family elected for comfort measures, and the patient was extubated and passed away. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an association between guselkumab, IP, ARDS, and DAH. Rare instances of DAH with DRESS have been reported before. Whether it was DRESS or guselkumab that caused DAH was uncertain in our patient. Clinicians should monitor for DAH and shortness of breath in patients on guselkumab so that more data can be obtained and studied in the future.

Infliximab-Induced Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonitis in a Patient With Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Infliximab belongs to the family of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors and since its development, it has revolutionized treatment for both rheumatological diseases and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD specifically, it has shown to result in symptomatic, endoscopic, and histological remission which is why it is one of the most widely used treatments for moderate to severe IBD. While common side effects include infections due to immunosuppression, cytopenias and hepatotoxicity, interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been infrequently reported to result from inflixiamb use. We present the case of a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) who achieved remission with infliximab, however, after about two years of infusions, developed evidence of non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP). Extensive work up was done to rule out infections, mixed connective tissue disorders, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Although lung biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing NSIP; clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings were sufficient in establishing this diagnosis. Initiation of empiric high dose steroids, and cessation of infliximab infusions showed improvement in respiratory status and resolution of lung findings. This case highlights the importance of recognizing adverse effects of infliximab on the pulmonary status of an IBD patient given that infliximab mediated ILD does not adhere to a specific timeline. Considering that respiratory function may be compromised post any number of infusions, it is imperative to acknowledge patients' respiratory complaints and initiate prompt investigation and evaluation for this rare complication.

Pathophysiological Concepts and Management of Pulmonary Manifestation of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Pulmonary manifestation (PM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children is a rare condition. The exact pathogenesis is still unclear, but several explanatory concepts were postulated and several case reports in children were published. We performed a systematic Medline search between April 1976 and April 2022. Different pathophysiological concepts were identified, including the shared embryological origin, "miss-homing" of intestinal based neutrophils and T lymphocytes, inflammatory triggering via certain molecules (tripeptide proline-glycine-proline, interleukin 25), genetic factors and alterations in the microbiome. Most pediatric IBD patients with PM are asymptomatic, but can show alterations in pulmonary function tests and breathing tests. In children, the pulmonary parenchyma is more affected than the airways, leading histologically mainly to organizing pneumonia. Medication-associated lung injury has to be considered in pulmonary symptomatic pediatric IBD patients treated with certain agents (i.e., mesalamine, sulfasalazine or infliximab). Furthermore, the risk of pulmonary embolism is generally increased in pediatric IBD patients. The initial treatment of PM is based on corticosteroids, either inhaled for the larger airways or systemic for smaller airways and parenchymal disease. In summary, this review article summarizes the current knowledge about PM in pediatric IBD patients, focusing on pathophysiological and clinical aspects.

Infliximab-induced interstitial lung disease

A 70-year-old man was referred to our respiratory department with non-productive cough over the past 6 months. High-resolution CT revealed reticular pattern with basal and peripheral predominance, centrilobular nodules and mild ground glass opacities. Serology tests were normal and bronchoalveolar lavage revealed lymphocytosis. Pulmonary function tests showed functional impairment and reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Meticulous evaluation of patient's medical history unveiled longitudinal administration of infliximab due to diagnosis of psoriasis. The working diagnosis of drug-induced interstitial lung disease was proposed following multidisciplinary discussion. Considerable radiological and functional improvement was determined 6 months following infliximab discontinuation without implementation of corticosteroids. To this end, the patient has reported remission of cough and functional improvement.

Interstitial and Granulomatous Lung Disease in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

BACKGROUND

Interstitial lung [ILD] disease and granulomatous lung disease [GLD] are rare respiratory disorders that have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Clinical presentation is polymorphic and aetiology is unclear.

METHODS

This was an ECCO-CONFER project. Cases of concomitant ILD or GLD and IBD, or drug-induced ILD/GLD, were collected. The criteria for diagnosing ILD and GLD were based on definitions from the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society and on the discretion of reporting clinician.

RESULTS

We identified 31 patients with ILD. The majority had ulcerative colitis [UC] [n = 22]. Drug-related ILD was found in 64% of these patients, 25 patients [80.6%] required hospitalisation, and one required non-invasive ventilation. The causative drug was stopped in all drug-related ILD, and 87% of patients received systemic steroids. At follow-up, 16% of patients had no respiratory symptoms, 16% had partial improvement, 55% had ongoing symptoms, and there were no data in 13%. One patient was referred for lung transplantation, and one death from lung fibrosis was reported. We also identified 22 GLD patients: most had Crohn's disease [CD] [n = 17]. Drug-related GLD was found in 36% of patients and 10 patients [45.4%] required hospitalisation. The causative drug was stopped in all drug-related GLD, and 81% of patients received systemic steroids. Remission of both conditions was achieved in almost all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

ILD and GLD, although rare, can cause significant morbidity. In our series, over half of cases were drug-related and therefore focused pharmacovigilance is needed to identify and manage these cases.

A Patient with KL-6 Elevation with Anti-TNFα Who Could Receive Long-Term Use without Interstitial Pneumonia after Class Switch of Anti-TNFα

A 40-year-old man with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) was treated with tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor (anti-TNFα), infliximab. One month later, the chest computed tomography and laboratory test showed noninfectious interstitial lung disease (ILD) and elevation of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6). Fortunately, ILD disappeared after the discontinuation with anti-TNFα. Two and a half years after his first UC treatment, he was treated again with another anti-TNFα, adalimumab, for relapse and he had a second ILD. This course suggested anti-TNFα induced ILD. The characteristics of anti-TNFα-induced ILD in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not well understood. We summarized and investigated the characteristics of such patients based on a literature review including 15 cases. It suggested that anti-TNFα-induced ILD in IBD might be rare and tends to have a better outcome compared with ILD in rheumatoid arthritis.

A 53-year-old man with dyspnoea, respiratory failure, consistent with infliximab-induced acute interstitial pneumonitis after an accelerated induction dosing schedule

A 53-year-old man with ulcerative colitis (UC) suffered fatal acute interstitial pneumonitis (AIP) post completing an accelerated infliximab induction course. This is the first case reported in this setting. A literature review found four similar cases of infliximab-induced interstitial lung disease in the setting of treating patients with UC using standard infliximab regimens had successful treatment of the subjects post infliximab discontinuation. Unfortunately, the patient we are presenting, who had an accelerated infliximab induction course, did not survive. Although a prior small trial along more recent new small studies continue to show a benefit in reducing the need for early colectomy with the accelerated infliximab induction regimen as salvage therapy, it should be used cautiously until more safety data are available. Further larger trials are required to investigate rare side effects that may be associated with this regimen such as rapidly progressive lung toxicity as seen in this patient.

The safety of biological pharmacotherapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

INTRODUCTION

Biological agents are effective in ulcerative colitis (UC). Currently, 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab) and 1 anti-integrin agent (vedolizumab) are approved for the treatment of UC. The mechanism of action of biologic agents can also give rise to several side effects, some even serious. It remains uncertain to what extent biologic treatments may be associated with an increased rate of infections, malignancies and other adverse events Areas covered: Our aim is to review the relevant data available in the literature and briefly summarize the safety profile of biological therapy in UC. We performed a literature search using the OVID, MEDLINE, PUBMED and EMBASE databases. Also other relevant sources of safety data were also used. Expert opinion: All biological agents currently used in UC are relatively safe. Accurate prevention measures and screening prior to start such therapies, and regular surveillance programs are strongly recommend to minimize any risk of infections, malignancy and other adverse events related to the use of monoclonal antibodies in UC patients.

Review of pulmonary adverse effects of infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Anti-inflammatory therapies are the mainstay for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adults, including biologics such as infliximab. While there is extensive literature on the general side effects of therapy with infliximab, the data on pulmonary adverse effects remains sparse. This article summarizes the literature related to pulmonary adverse effects of Infliximab therapy in Crohn's Disease.

AREA COVERED

Published reports of specific pulmonary complications during ongoing therapy with infliximab in patients with IBD were included in the review. A wide variety of infectious and non-infectious complications have been reported with the use of infliximab therapy in IBD.

EXPERT OPINION

It is important to carefully evaluate respiratory signs and symptoms in patients with IBD, especially those receiving biologic therapies. Besides infectious complications, other non-infectious pulmonary adverse effects associated with the use of infliximab should be considered in patients with IBD. Further, it is important to differentiate primary pulmonary involvement of IBD from pulmonary adverse effects of infliximab therapy. An algorithm for assessing patients with IBD presenting with pulmonary symptoms is provided as a guide for clinicians for medical decision-making.

Organizing Pneumonia in a Patient with Quiescent Crohn’s Disease

A 64-year-old man with Crohn's disease (CD) was admitted to our hospital due to moderate risk of pneumonia while receiving scheduled adalimumab maintenance therapy. Symptoms remained virtually unchanged following administration of antibiotics. A final diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP) was made based on findings of intra-alveolar buds of granulation tissue and fibrous thickening of the alveolar walls on pathological examination and patchy consolidations and ground glass opacities on computed tomography. Immediate administration of prednisolone provided rapid, sustained improvement. Although a rare complication, OP is a pulmonary manifestation that requires attention in CD patients.

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Bronchopulmonary signs and symptoms are examples of variable extraintestinal manifestations of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These complications of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) seem to be underrecognized by both pulmonary physicians and gastroenterologists. The objective of the present review was to gather and summarize information on this particular matter, on the basis of available up-to-date literature. Tracheobronchial involvement is the most prevalent respiratory presentation, whereas IBD-related interstitial lung disease is less frequent. Latent and asymptomatic pulmonary involvement is not unusual. Differential diagnosis should always consider infections (mainly tuberculosis) and drug-induced lung pathology. The common link between intestinal disease and lung pathology is unknown, but many hypotheses have been proposed. It is speculated that environmental pollution, common immunological mechanisms and predisposing genetic factors may play a role.

Six Cases of Lung Injury Following Anti-tumour Necrosis Factor Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Limited data are available regarding the pulmonary toxicity of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

We retrospectively searched the IBD registry of Asan Medical Center in order to identify patients with lung injury following anti-TNF therapy.

RESULTS

Among 1002 patients who were treated using anti-TNF therapy, six cases (0.6%) of anti-TNF-induced lung injury (ATILI) were identified. ATILI was observed soon after the beginning of anti-TNF therapy (two to four doses of anti-TNF). All of these patients experienced improvements in their respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings once the anti-TNF therapy was discontinued. One patient who suffered ATILI following adalimumab was switched to subsequent infliximab and was without recurrence of ATILI.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be vigilant regarding the possibility of ATILI in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents.

Adalimumab-induced interstitial pneumonia in a patient with Crohn’s disease

There are several reports of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced lung disease, especially in patients with rheumatologic diseases. Adalimumab is an anti-TNF drug used to induce and maintain remission in patients with immune-mediated diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. Although pulmonary disorders could be an extra-intestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, biologic therapy could also be a cause of lung injury. Only few cases of adalimumab-induced lung toxicity have been reported, and the majority of them were in patients with rheumatologic diseases. Lung injury secondary to anti-TNF therapy should, after ruling out other etiologies, be considered in patients who have a temporal association between the onset of respiratory symptoms and the exposure to these drugs. A compatible pattern in the biopsy and the clinical improvement after discontinuation of the anti-TNF drug would strongly support the diagnosis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage cellular patterns in monoclonal antibody-induced lung disease

BACKGROUND

The increase in the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAB) as a targeted therapy for a variety of diseases has been accompanied by an increase in reports of interstitial lung abnormalities in treated patients.

OBJECTIVE

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is routinely performed in these patients to rule out infection, so we sought to determine the BAL cellular pattern in individuals with mAB-induced lung disease (mAB-ILD).

METHODS

We utilized a case-control study design. Among patients treated with mAB, cases were defined as those with otherwise-unexplained interstitial lung abnormalities, which resolved after cessation of treatment, while controls were defined as those with interstitial abnormalities clearly explained by other etiologies.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2012, we identified 9 cases and 7 controls. The mean age of the cases was 62.6 ± 26 years and 6 were female. The most common radiographic finding was diffuse ground-glass opacities. The most common BAL cellular pattern was mixed inflammation with moderate lymphocytic and mild neutrophilic alveolitis. The cases had a higher mean lymphocyte count than the controls (40.1 ± 32.6 vs. 13.1 ± 25.5, p = 0.008). The rest of the BAL cellular analyses were similar between the 2 groups. The median CD4:CD8 ratio in 7 patients with >15% lymphocytes was 0.9 (0.6-3). There was no significant difference in the CD4:CD8 ratio between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Mixed inflammation with moderate lymphocytic and mild neutrophilic alveolitis is the most common BAL cellular pattern in patients with mAB-ILD. Such findings may be useful for the early identification of mAB-ILD.

Interstitial lung diseases induced or exacerbated by DMARDS and biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

To review published cases of induced or exacerbated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs) and biologics and to discuss clinical implications in daily practice.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review from 1975 to July 2013 using Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and abstracts from the ACR 2010-2012 and EULAR 2010-2013 annual meetings. Case reports and series that suggest a causative role of nbDMARDs (methotrexate [MTX], leflunomide [LEF], gold, azathioprine [AZA], sulfasalazine [SSZ], and hydroxychloroquine [HCQ]) and biologic agents (TNF inhibitors [TNFi], rituximab [RTX], tocilizumab [TCZ], abatacept [ABA], and anakinra) in causing ILD or worsening a pre-existing ILD in RA patients were included. Results from observational and postmarketing studies as well as reviews on this topic were excluded from the qualitative analysis but still considered to discuss the implication of such drugs in generating or worsening ILD in RA patients. Comparisons were made between MTX-induced ILD in RA and the cases reported with other agents, in terms of clinical presentation, radiological features, and therapeutic management and outcomes.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 32 articles for MTX, 12 for LEF (resulting in 34 case reports), 3 for gold, 1 for AZA, 4 for SSZ, 27 for TNFi (resulting in 31 case reports), 3 for RTX, 5 for TCZ (resulting in 8 case reports), and 1 for ABA. No case was found for HCQ or anakinra. Common points are noted between LEF- and TNFi-related ILD in RA: ILD is a rare severe adverse event, mostly occurs within the first 20 weeks after initiation of therapy, causes dyspnea mostly in older patients, and can be fatal. Although no definitive causative relationship can be drawn from case reports and observational studies, these data argue for a pulmonary follow-up in RA patients with pre-existing ILD, while receiving biologic therapy or nbDMARDs.

CONCLUSION

As previously described for MTX, growing evidence highlights that LEF, TNFi, RTX, and TCZ may induce pneumonitis or worsen RA-related pre-existing ILD. Nonetheless, identifying a causal relationship between RA therapy and ILD-induced toxicity clearly appears difficult, partly because it is a rare condition.

The multifaceted aspects of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a relevant extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may occur either in early stages or as a complication of long-standing disease. RA related ILD (RA-ILD) significantly influences the quoad vitam prognosis of these patients. Several histopathological patterns of RA-ILD have been described: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the most frequent one, followed by nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP); other patterns are less commonly observed. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing RA-ILD. The genetic background plays a fundamental but not sufficient role; smoking is an independent predictor of ILD, and a correlation with the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies has also been reported. Moreover, both exnovo occurrence and progression of ILD have been related to drug therapies that are commonly prescribed in RA, such as methotrexate, leflunomide, anti-TNF alpha agents, and rituximab. A greater understanding of the disease process is necessary in order to improve the therapeutic approach to ILD and RA itself and to reduce the burden of this severe extra-articular manifestation.

Noninfectious interstitial lung disease during infliximab therapy: Case report and literature review

Pulmonary abnormalities are not frequently encountered in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. However, lung toxicity can be induced by conventional medications used to maintain remission, and similar evidence is also emerging for biologics. We present the case of a young woman affected by colonic Crohn’s disease who was treated with oral mesalamine and became steroid-dependent and refractory to azathioprine and adalimumab. She was referred to our clinic with a severe relapse and was treated with infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antibody, to induce remission. After an initial benefit, with decreases in bowel movements, rectal bleeding and C-reactive protein levels, she experienced shortness of breath after the 5^th infusion. Noninfectious interstitial lung disease was diagnosed. Both mesalamine and infliximab were discontinued, and steroids were introduced with slow but progressive improvement of symptoms, radiology and functional tests. This represents a rare case of interstitial lung disease associated with infliximab therapy and the effect of drug withdrawal on these lung alterations. Given the increasing use of anti-TNF-α therapies and the increasing reports of pulmonary abnormalities in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, this case underlines the importance of a careful evaluation of respiratory symptoms in patients undergoing infliximab therapy.

Respiratory failure due to infliximab induced interstitial lung disease

Although poorly understood, interstitial lung disease has been reported as a possible complication of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. We report a case of interstitial lung disease in a 64-year-old man with psoriasis 3 weeks after the initiation of infliximab treatment. The patient had received two fortnightly infusions of infliximab following a short course of methotrexate. Thoracic computed tomography showed bilateral ground glass and interstitial infiltrates, while the results of microbiology and immunologic workup were negative. Likewise, bronchoalveolar lavage detected neither typical nor atypical pathogens. Infliximab-induced interstitial lung injury was suspected and corticosteroid therapy was administered which resulted in rapid clinical and radiological improvement. This is one of the few reported cases of interstitial lung disease due to infliximab in the psoriasis population. The patient had no pre-existing lung pathology, while his previous exposure to methotrexate was minimal and was not temporally associated with the induction of interstitial lung disease.