Inflixmab as a possible treatment for the hemorrhagic type of Crohn’s disease

Abstract

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). Although anti-tumor necrosis factor-Α (TNF-Α, infliximab) therapy has been established for patients with inflammatory and fistulous CD, there has been little evidence on whether infliximab is effective for the hemorrhagic type of CD. We report a case of a 31-year-old man with CD who had recurrent sudden-onset bloody stool. After a second surgery, he visited our hospital because of bloody stool. Infusion of infliximab stopped the bleeding and promoted the healing of ulcers in the ileum and ileocolon anastomosis. We suggest that infliximab therapy should be tried to stop acute gastrointestinal bleeding in CD before there is a surgical emergency.