Scrotal Cellulitis in the Setting of IL-17A Inhibitor Therapy: A Case Report

Ixekizumab, an IL-17A inhibitor, is commonly used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, with a well-documented risk of mucocutaneous Candida infections, though its role in bacterial infections is less defined. We present the case of a 62-year-old male on ixekizumab who developed scrotal cellulitis with subsequent septic thrombophlebitis, despite no clear entry point. His condition initially improved with broad-spectrum antibiotics, but later worsened, requiring further imaging and multidisciplinary management. The IL-17 plays a key role in neutrophil recruitment and skin barrier integrity, and its inhibition may impair bacterial defense, potentially increasing the risk of severe infections. This case underscores the need for clinicians to recognize bacterial infections as a possible complication of IL-17 blockade and highlights the importance of early intervention and close monitoring in immunomodulatory patients.