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Immunoadsorption with tryptophan columns: A therapeutic option for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with septic complications
Author(s) -
Thomaidis Thomas,
Schorn Corinna,
Flaig Wolfram,
Lingg Gerwinn,
Schönhals Elke,
Klingel Reinhard,
Galle Peter R.,
Schwarting Andreas
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of clinical apheresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.697
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1098-1101
pISSN - 0733-2459
DOI - 10.1002/jca.20188
Subject(s) - medicine , immunoadsorption , rheumatoid arthritis , septic arthritis , intensive care medicine , arthritis , immunology , antibody
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs and tissues. Although there is a wide range of therapeutic applications, the coexistence of severe side effects and contraindications outlines the necessity of new therapeutic options in the treatment of severe RA. We report on the case of a 71‐year‐old patient with successful treatment of a complicated RA with tryptophan immunoadsorption combined with low‐dose steroids. Bacterial spondylitis developed in this patient during long‐term treatment with infliximab and methotrexate. Weekly immunoadsorption sessions with tryptophan columns resulted in continuous suppression of RA activity over a period of more than 5 months, as indicated by laboratory findings, the disease activity score, and the visual analog scale. This is the first report of successful treatment of a refractory and complicated RA using tryptophan immunoadsorption columns. In conclusion, immunoadsorption is a safe and effective therapeutic alternative, which should be considered to bridge infectious complications in patients with severe RA. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.