Septic shock after seasonal influenza vaccination in an HIV-infected patient during treatment with etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases not responsive to first-line regimens. Data on the safety of anti-TNF-α in HIV-infected patients are scarce and conflicting. We describe a case of septic shock and multiorgan failure that occurred after etanercept initiation and influenza vaccination in an HIV-infected woman with rheumatoid arthritis.