title: Infectious complications of biologic agents.
abstract: Infection is a frequent complication in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. Since 2000, the spectrum of therapeutic possibilities (ie, biologic agents) for treating RA has expanded rapidly and many safety reports of patients treated with these drugs have been published. In most studies, biologics are associated with an increased incidence of infections with the use of tumor necrosis factor antagonists. Reported risks for developing infection differ among studies. This article provides an overview of which studies the authors consider the most relevant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, Madrid 28046, Spain. emartinmola.hulp@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin-Mola
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balsa
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha