title: Risk of infections with biological agents.
abstract: An increasing proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are treated with biological medications. The risk of infectious complications remains a significant concern in patients treated with biologics. Treatment with biological agents in IBD is generally safe, but there may be an increased risk of certain opportunistic infections. Some of the infectious risks are class specific, whereas others are a common concern for all biologics. A careful screening, surveillance, and immunization program, in accordance with available guidelines, is important to minimize any risk of infectious complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, 687 Pine Avenue West, Ross 2.28, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada.
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kopylov
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, 687 Pine Avenue West, Ross 2.28, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: waqqas.afif@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Waqqas
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Afif
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D000069442:Natalizumab; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000069549:Ustekinumab; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001688:Biological Products; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069442:Natalizumab; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C543529:vedolizumab; D000069549:Ustekinumab
keywords: Anti–tumor necrosis factor α; Biologics; Infection; Inflammatory bowel disease; Opportunistic infections; Vaccinations