title: [Infections and TNFalpha antagonist treatment].
abstract: The TNFalpha antagonists have become a standard treatment for many severe chronic inflammatory diseases. After a few years of practical use in individual patient's setting adverse effects, especially infectious have been recorded and a practical attitude can be proposed for prevention and follow-up. TNFalpha antagonists increase the risk of infection by intracellular pathogens. A latent tuberculosis infection must be looked for prior to the initiation of the treatment. A prophylaxis is started in case of positive result. The global infectious risk can also be minimized by an optimal vaccination coverage and a regular screening for leucopenia.
authors.affiliation: CONSILIA Laboratoires et conseils médicaux SA, Av. Grand-Champsec 86, 1950 Sion. eric.dayer@consilia-sa.ch
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dayer
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Praz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha