Tuberculosis and opportunistic infections: relevance to biologic agents.
With the expanding use of biologic agents, in particular TNF inhibitors, tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections have become an important and growing concern in rheumatology. Clinicians using these therapies should have an understanding of the scope of the problem, the underlying scientific rationale, as well as the optimal approaches to screening, monitoring and treatment.
Bieber
J
J
The Center for Innovative Therapy, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, The University of California San Diego School of Medicine, USA
Kavanaugh
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents