Helen Tschannen, 77, died from a common fungal infection known as histoplasmosis. She was taking Remicade for her arthritis which put her at risk for an infection.
The drug, Remicade, had been approved for her condition in 1999. It was at the forefront of a class of drugs known as biological medicines, or biologics, that treat autoimmune diseases of the skin, joints and gastrointestinal system.
The drugs are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders. They often lead to significant improvement in symptoms, even remission. But there is a darker aspect to the drugs that is less known to the public: They leave patients more susceptible to a growing number of infections and other serious side effects.
