title: Incidence and nature of infectious disease in patients treated with anti-TNF agents.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors offer a targeted therapeutic strategy that contrasts with the nonspecific immunosuppressive agents traditionally used to treat most inflammatory diseases. These biologic agents have had a significant impact in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of inflammatory rheumatoid disease and improving patient function. From the onset of clinical trials, a central concern of cytokine blockade has been a potential increase in susceptibility to infections. Not surprisingly, a variety of infections have been reported in association with the use of TNF-alpha inhibitor agents. In particular, there is evidence suggesting an increased rate of granulomatous infections in patients treated with monoclonal TNF-alpha inhibitors. This review provides the incidence and nature of infections in patients treated with TNF-alpha inhibitor agents and reminds the clinician of the required vigilance in monitoring patients.
authors.affiliation: VA Medical Center, Sacramento, USA. sraychaudhuri@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Siba P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Raychaudhuri
authors.forename: Caroline T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Smriti K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Raychaudhuri
authors.forename: M Eric
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gershwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha