Infectious complications of biological therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Although the remarkable efficacy of biological therapy has resulted in significant success in rheumatic disease management, susceptibility to infections remains a concern. Here we review the latest publications on infectious complications of biological therapy in rheumatic diseases.


RESULTS
The recent data on anti-tumor necrosis factor agents show encouraging results in relation to infections. The majority of the infections are minor, and opportunistic infections including tuberculosis are rare. The incidence of infections decreases with time on biologic therapy. Vaccination is effective while on biological agents, although live vaccines should be avoided. Biologic therapy in the setting of HIV, HCV and HBV continues to be studied, but data are accumulating in support of a favorable safety profile. There are degrees of differential susceptibility to infection across the rheumatic diseases, which should be taken into account in weighing the infectious risks of biologics in the respective diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Biological medications have a favorable safety profile but continued vigilance is appropriate. Most infectious reported episodes are minor and the risk of infection appears to decrease with duration of treatment.
Haroon
Nigil
N
Toronto Western Research Institute, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Inman
Robert D
RD
D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000009:adverse effects
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated