Group A Streptococcus Brain Abscess in a Patient on Adalimumab Therapy

Authors

Ryan Carroll, Marshall UniversityFollow
Ahmad Abu-Hashyeh, Marshall UniversityFollow
James Gainer, Marshall UniversityFollow
Kara Willenburg, Marshall UniversityFollow
Charles Meadows, Marshall UniversityFollow

Author Credentials

Ryan Carroll MD Ahmad Abu-Hashyeh MD James Gainer BS Kara Willenburg MD Charles Meadows MD

Keywords

Streptococcus, brain abscess, adalimumab

Disciplines

Infectious Disease | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Brain abscesses represent a group of dangerous infections typically caused by a number of classic organisms. Group A Streptococcus is a rare cause of brain abscesses and those patients that do have this particular condition will typically have a distal source of infection. We present a case of patient with a biopsy confirmed Group A Streptococcal without a distal source of infection. His only identifiable risk factor was his adalimumab therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. While adalimumab has not been linked to Streptococcal infection in the past, it has been associated with multiple atypical infections and some of the consequences of its mechanism as a tissue necrosis factor alpha inhibitor can theoretically predispose patients to Streptococcal infection when considered in conjunction with known Streptococcal virulence factors. This case raises the question of whether the patient’s adalimumab therapy may have contributed to his unusual presentation of Streptococcal infection and prompts further consideration and study of the risks of adalimumab and other similar immunosuppressant monoclonal antibodies.

Recommended Citation

Carroll R, Abu-Hashyeh A, Gainer J, Willenburg K, Meadows C. Group A Streptococcus Brain Abscess in a Patient on Adalimumab Therapy. Marshall J Med. 2019; 5(3): 6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1230.