title: Tuberculosis during TNF-α inhibitor therapy, despite screening.
abstract: As part of a prospective study on the safety of TNF-α inhibitor therapy after screening for and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), we report two patients who developed active tuberculosis (TB) infection during TNF-α inhibitor therapy, despite negative screening for LTBI. The clinical history is suggestive of a primary infection acquired during travelling to TB-endemic countries. In this lesson of the month we would like to highlight the risk of travelling to TB-endemic areas in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitor therapy. Screening for latent tuberculosis infection is not enough to prevent tuberculosis in patients treated with TNF-α inhibitor therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology and Tuberculosis, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, , Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Regina W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hofland
authors.forename: Steven F T
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Thijsen
authors.forename: Marc A M T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Verhagen
authors.forename: Yolande
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schenk
authors.forename: Ailko W J
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Bossink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069285:Infliximab; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab
keywords: Immunodeficiency; Infection Control; Respiratory Infection; Tuberculosis