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Dupilumab-Associated Tuberculosis: A Rare and Unusual Side Effect

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent case report published in the Infection and Drug Resistance journal has highlighted a potential and rare side effect of the medication dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody used to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. According to the research, a 71-year-old man developed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) after receiving treatment with dupilumab. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is unclear, but it may be related to the fact that dupilumab inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory response-related genes and the innate immunity of macrophages, thereby aggravating TB infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case report discusses a rare instance of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) associated with dupilumab treatment, a medication used to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
  • The patient, a 71-year-old man, developed TB after receiving dupilumab therapy, and the mechanism behind this phenomenon is unclear.
  • Dupilumab inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory response-related genes and the innate immunity of macrophages, which may contribute to the development of TB.
  • This is the first reported case of PTB and EPTB associated with dupilumab treatment, and it highlights the need for clinicians to be vigilant about TB in patients receiving this therapy, especially in endemic regions.
  • The case report was published in the Infection and Drug Resistance journal and is a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers investigating the potential side effects of dupilumab.
  • The patient's history of atopic dermatitis and the development of TB after dupilumab treatment suggest a potential link between the two conditions, although further research is needed to confirm this.

Statistics:

  • The case report is based on a individual patient with a history of atopic dermatitis, who developed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) after receiving dupilumab treatment.
  • The patient was a 71-year-old man, who received dupilumab therapy for atopic dermatitis.
  • The average age of patients with atopic dermatitis is around 10-30 years, highlighting the potential for dupilumab to affect a wider range of patients.
  • Dupilumab is an emerging treatment for atopic dermatitis, but this case report highlights the need for long-term monitoring of patients for potential side effects, such as TB.

Sources:

  • Xu, W., et al. "Case Report: Rare Dupilumab-Associated Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis." Infection and Drug Resistance, vol. 18, no. 1, 2025, pp. 5219-5222.
  • NewsRx. "Department of Infectious Diseases Researcher Highlights Research in Tuberculosis (Case Report: Rare Dupilumab-Associated Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis)." TB & Outbreaks Week, October 21, 2025, p 707.

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