title: Evaluation, treatment, and prophylaxis of infections complicating systemic vasculitis.
abstract: Infection continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic vasculitis. The recognition and treatment of infections in these patients is a particularly difficult task because the spectrum of potential pathogens is broad and the clinical manifestations of infection often mimic those of the underlying disease. This article provides 1) a general overview of the immunosuppressive properties of agents commonly used in the treatment of systemic vasculitis, and 2) a framework for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of various infectious syndromes in patients with systemic vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Immunologic Diseases Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1876, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sneller
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents