title: Latent infection and tuberculosis disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: New drug classes, biologics, have been developed over the past 10 years based on human or chimeric antibodies against cytokines or receptors with pivotal roles in the inflammatory pathways of immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents carry the largest infection risk of all the biologics, predisposing patients to mycobacterial infections. Patients receiving biologics are at higher risk for developing tuberculosis. New cases of tuberculosis or reactivation of latent tuberculosis infections may occur during the course of treatment, so a high level of vigilance is highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. edacvas@terra.com.pe
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Acevedo-Vásquez
authors.forename: Darío
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ponce de León
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gamboa-Cárdenas
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha