Vol.21 No.6

Case Report

Diagnostic features of mild cellulitis phlegmon in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab: a report of two cases

Authors

Makoto Hirao1 , Akihide Nampei1 , Kenrin Shi1 , Hideki Yoshikawa1 , Norihiro Nishimoto2 , Jun Hashimoto1

  • Department of Orthopaedics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
  • Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Wakayama Medical School, 811-1 Miidera, Wakayama, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
Received:

2 March 2011

Accepted:

31 March 2011

Published online:

1 May 2011

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Abstract

Two cases of subcutaneous soft tissue infection in 30 RA patients treated with tocilizumab are reported. In both patients, local redness, swelling, and heat were observed around the affected site. WBC spikes and such local findings were suggested to be clinically useful for the early detection of low-grade subcutaneous infection in RA patients whose disease is tightly controlled with tocilizumab. Of note, the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and temperature lacked clinical utility for such detection.

Key words

Tocilizumab - Cellulitis phlegmon - WBC - Neutrophil - CRP