Bone Marrow Aplasia and Neutropenic Fever Following Azathioprine Dose Escalation in a TPMT-Deficient Patient with Crohn's Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis-A CARE-Compliant Case.

Background

Myelotoxicity, usually manifested by moderate leukopenia (particularly neutropenia), is a well-known adverse drug reaction to azathioprine (AZA) therapy. Thiopurine methyltransferase (TMPT) and nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X-type motif 15 (NUDT15) genotyping are not routinely performed in patients starting AZA therapy due to their low cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the concomitant use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors and 5-aminosalicylates may slow the metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine. Case Description: We describe a case of a 26-year-old Caucasian man with Crohn's disease and psoriatic arthritis treated with mesalazine and AZA (100 mg daily) who developed prolonged bone marrow aplasia and neutropenic fever after increasing the daily dose of AZA from 100 to 150 mg (from 44 to 66 mg/m2), without frequent total blood count monitoring. Discontinuation of AZA, multiple transfusions of red blood cells and platelet concentrate, filgrastim, empirical antibiotic therapy, and antiviral and antifungal prophylaxis were obtained after 11 days complete recovery of bone marrow aplasia.

Methods

Genomic DNA genotyping of coding regions of TPMT (exons 2-9) and NUDT15 (exons 1-3).

Results

Heterozygous alleles in the untranslated region (c.460G>A and c.719A>G) associated with TPMT deficiency and a benign variant (c.*7G>A) in the 3'-UTR of NUDT15 with no effect on enzyme activity were found.

Conclusions

This case highlights the importance of monitoring the total blood count frequently during the first weeks of treatment with moderate-to-high doses of AZA. Furthermore, the interaction between AZA and mesalazine may play a significant role in the development of prolonged bone marrow aplasia.