Autoimmune hepatitis: Side effect of infliximab perfusion

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a basic cytokine is an immunosuppressive agent used intensively in the treatment of systemic diseases. various side effects have been reported with the use of these powerful immunosuppressive drugs. In this case we report an autoimmune hepatitis an uncommon side effect of infliximab perfusion. Case: A 41-year-old man living with HIV on emtricitabine tenofovir and efavirenz for 6 years with good tolerance and undetectable viral load had been diagnosed as having a Crohn disease. He was referred for persistent increase in aminotransferase levels during infliximab therapy. After the 3rd infusion, serum aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) raised to 75 and 136 IU/L. After exhaustive etiological exams we retained autoimmune hepatitis. Two months after stopping infliximab aminotransferases were normal. Conclusion: Infliximab induced autoimmune hepatitis is an uncommon side effect. Clinicians should be aware of this risk and should perform aminotransferase level control when infliximab use.