Aseptic meningitis in a patient taking etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

BACKGROUND: We report a case of a 53 year old lady recently commenced on etanercept, an anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) therapy for rheumatoid arthritis presenting with confusion, pyrexia and an erythematous rash. CASE PRESENTATION: A lumbar puncture was highly suggestive of bacterial meningitis, but CSF cultures produced no growth, and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for all previously reported bacterial, fungal and viral causes of meningitis were negative. CONCLUSION: This case report describes aseptic meningitis as a previously unreported complication of etanercept therapy, and serves as a reminder of the rare but potentially life-threatening risk of serious infections in patients taking anti-TNF therapy for a variety of conditions.