[Wells' cellulitis and bacterial necrotizing cellulitis induced by anakinra].

BACKGROUND

Anakinra is a recombinant form of the naturally occurring human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The most frequent side effects are injection site reactions, which seem to have a toxic mechanism.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We report two unusual cases of injection site reactions with anakinra: a woman presented Wells' cellulitis of the thigh and a man developed serious bacterial cellulitis distinguished by deep necrosis at the site of the latest anakinra subcutaneous injection.

DISCUSSION: The cases are examples of serious side effects that can occur during treatment with anakinra and underline the need for careful use of this new biological agent.